JOIN US IN CELEBRATING Ta wik’ a ta rē moriori
Moriori Language Week is back and even bigger! kicking off Monday 12 October 2026, The week will be filled with festivities across the motchu and beyond, honouring and revitalising ta rē Moriori, the indigenous language of Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands).
Throughout the week, people will have the chance to experience the richness of Moriori culture through ta rē (language) lessons, tikane Moriori (cultural practices), rongo (song), and storytelling. From local events on Rēkohu to digital campaigns lighting up social media, the tchipangă (cause) will showcase Moriori resilience and identity, and invite all New Zealanders to take part.
“Moriori have had to relearn our language following generations of hardship, colonisation, and misrepresentation. By establishing Moriori Language Week, we’re ensuring ta rē Moriori is revived, spoken, and celebrated — whether or not it has official recognition,” said Levi Lanauze, Interim CEO of Hokotehi Moriori Trust.
Moriori Language Week joins the vibrant family of Māori and Pacific language weeks across the country, standing in solidarity with the wider movement to protect and celebrate indigenous languages.
Bring Ta Wik’ a Ta Rē Moriori To your town!
Awhi ta rē!
This Ta Wik’ a Ta Rē Moriori, we want to awhi the communities helping keep our rē alive, thriving and heard!
We’re offering small grants of up to $2,000 to tokona community-led ta rē initiatives that bring the week to life, get people involved and create more opportunities to see, hear and speak ta rē Moriori.
Whether it’s a wānanga, community kei, bilingual shopfronts, or another takina idea of your own, we want to help you make it happen.
You can check the criteria and apply below.
