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National | Labour Party

Mahuta takes up Mahuru Māori challenge

Labour's Nanaia Mahuta recently received a moko kauae. Now the Hauraki-Waikato MP is taking part in Mahuru Māori, a challenge conceived by Ngāti Raukawa reo scholar Paraone Gloyne two years ago to encourage Māori to speak Māori throughout the month of September.

With her moko kauae, Mahuta is looking to sharpen her Māori language skills by taking up the Mahuru Māori challenge, laid down on social media by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa's Paraone Gloyne.

“It's a challenge to all Māori. That is why I am supporting his campaign, knowing that the language and its customs are very important and go hand-in-hand,” says Mahuta.

The Māori language campaign challenges people around the world to speak only Māori for the entire month, a week, or a day of each week. Nanaia has chosen to do one day of each week.

Nanaia has been championing Māori issues, the hopes of Māori. She is a face for the Māori world so I really support what she is doing for herself. Now that she has a tattooed chin, she's a great example.

Paraone Gloyne pioneered the initiative two years ago initially for fluent speakers of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.  Now it includes the public at all levels of proficiency.

“I've asked my colleagues like Peeni (Henare) and Adrian (Rurawhe) to also do the Mahuru Māori challenge this month,” says Mahuta.

Gloyne says, “There are others who speak Māori, so to you, Māori politicians, help Nanaia Mahuta who is leading the charge.”

The social media challenge kicks off on Thursday.