Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori and For Purpose win prestigious Polaris Award in London

(Pictured L-R: Makere Carroll from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Josh Harden of Ngāti Rānana)

For Purpose is proud to announce that its support of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori’s (Māori Language Commission) innovative public storytelling campaign, ‘Stories of te Reo‘, has achieved success and recognition at the 2023 Polaris Awards in London.

The campaign has earned the Silver Award in the Public Sector Campaigns / NGO Equalities category and was collected by Makere Carroll representing Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori at the awards evening.

Marking the 50 year anniversary of the signing of the petition to parliament requesting te Reo Māori be taught to schools, the Commission launched ‘Stories of te Reo’ a storytelling tool honouring the history of the language. A first of its kind, this immersive timeline-based website documents the pivotal moments in the revitalisation of the Māori language. The timeline only tells part of the story; so all New Zealanders are invited to share their stories, their memories and the actions they have and are taking to ensure its survival as a unique part of our national identity.

The “Stories of te Reo” concept to raise the voices of communities across Aotearoa was developed by the Te Toko Reo Partnerships and Promotions team at Te Taura Whiri.

The creative and design process facilitated by For Purpose, was complex and involved Māori language experts, historians, designers, developers and community organisers collaborating. Their input and feedback through interviews and discovery sessions ultimately helped to create a safe online space where Māori and non-Māori can contribute their experiences to the history of te reo.

For Purpose’s Director, Kristin Gillies, expressed gratitude for the continued collaboration with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori: “We are humbled with the success of the ‘Stories of Te Reo’ and the recognition it has received, reflecting the conviction Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori have for revitalising te reo and we are proud to support this kaupapa”. The two organisations have an on-going relationship and previously achieved national and international acclaim with the campaign ‘Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori’ making history creating the single largest celebration of the Māori language ever, the 2020 Māori Language Moment.”

For Purpose continue to support Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) which runs 11-17 September 2023.