Te Reo Māori on the Streets

This kaupapa stemmed from the desire of taitamariki in Kaikohe to see “Te Reo Māori Everywhere!” and for their town to be bright and colourful. This kaupapa has taken the form of typographic artworks to create a live learning experience and promote the use of Te Reo Māori in Kaikohe.

Working through a creative process taitamariki from four local schools explored whakatauki (proverbs) and what these look like through their perspective. These explorations resulted in a series of kupu matua that form the basis of the designs. Working through abstraction, composition and colour the taitamariki developed concepts for the artworks which were then developed by ĀKAU, professional designers and artists into 2D and 3D forms. These artists brought their unique style and art form to develop the taitamariki designs and showcase their designs to the fullest potential.

The physical impact of this kaupapa on the main streets of Kaikohe is HUGE. Hearing the positive feedback from the community and their whānau makes the taitamariki proud of what they have achieved and builds up their confidence.

Through being involved in Te Reo Māori on the Streets, the taitamariki have gained expressive skills, learned to confidently communicate their whakaaro, form relationships but most importantly they have learned more about who they are and where they come from.

As part of the explorative process the taitamariki were encouraged to create short sentences using their kupu matua. These were brought together into a waiata and acknowledges the whakaaro of the taitamariki.