Award-winning artists Jordyn with a Why, Mohi Allen and HOPE are taking te reo Māori into classrooms across Aotearoa as part of a nationwide initiative encouraging rangatahi to embrace the language through music.
Te Reo Māori is Global, aims to inspire the younger generation to speak, sing and celebrate in te reo Māori.
The artists are travelling around the country, visiting schools, and universities to connect with students and encourage the use of te reo Māori in everyday life.
The project uses music as a way to engage rangatahi, with waiata reo Māori helping to create a space where young people can hear, learn and use the language.
“Ka peka atu ki ngā kura, ki ngā wānanga, ngā wāhi e kaha tiaki nei i tō tātou reo rangatira,” says Jordyn.
Kaupapa whakarauora
The initiative aims to show rangatahi that there are many different ways to connect with the language, with music just being one pathway.
It also highlights opportunities for Māori artists and the growing space for waiata in te reo Māori.
“E hiahia ana te ao i ngā kaiwaiata reo Māori, me ngā waiata reo Māori anō hoki,” says Jordyn.
The project brings together artists, Jordyn with a Why, Mohi Allen and HOPE.
While each artist has their own music career, they are coming together through their shared passion for te reo Māori and a desire to see the language reach more people.
“Ko te whakakotahi i tō mātou nei aroha ki te reo Māori,” says Jordyn.
Ko te reo ki tua
The school and university tour is the first stage of the project, with the artists eventually taking their waiata beyond Aotearoa.
Later this year, Jordyn with a Why, Mohi Allen and HOPE will travel to London, where they will represent Te Ao Māori and share waiata reo Māori with an international audience.
The trip will also include a recording session at Abbey Road Studios, where artists including The Beatles, Pink, Adele and Ed Sheeran have recorded, as well as performances in London during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.
