Merivale Community Centre is running a series of special events to celebrate Maori Language Week/ Wiki o te Reo Maori.

Running from July 4 to July 10, the theme for Maori Language Week is Manaakitanga, chosen by the Maori Language Commission at the beginning of the year.

Merivale Community Centre services manager Graham Cameron wants his staff and volunteers to get involved and challenge themselves with the Maori language.

Maori Language Comission CEO Glenis Philip-Barbara says Manaakitanga is an important tenet of Maori custom and identity.

'I believe it has positively influenced notions of good old ‘Kiwi' hospitality. At its core, manaakitanga is about how we make people feel welcome when they are in our company, and how we give regard to and care for others when hosting visitors.”

Keeping with this theme, Merivale Community Centre will run a series of activities keeping with that theme.

On Thursday, July 7 there is a kai Maori lunch at the centre. This will include foods that many associate with meals at local marae such as rotten corn, seafood, boil up, fry bread, and steam pudding. This will be an opportunity to share the story of Tutarawānanga – the Maori name for the Merivale area.

On Friday, July 8 the Merivale Community Centre is having a te reo Maori only day.

Centre services manager Graham Cameron says, 'this is a challenge to our staff and volunteers, a chance to use whatever Maori language they have. This will include a basic te reo Maori class”.

The tamariki (children) who come to the centre during the week will be completing a Wiki o te Reo Maori colouring competition (the competition is organised by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – the Maori Tertiary Education Institution), and on Friday will be doing a range of Maori games and activities.

Throughout the week, the centre will also be featuring Maori music and helpful labels to learn the Maori words for everyday objects.

Kia kaha ki te kōrero Māori, ahakoa he iti he pounamu!