B+LNZ will join Aotearoa next week in celebrating Māori Language Week and use it as an opportunity to highlight Māori’s significant and growing contribution to New Zealand’s red meat sector.
B+LNZ celebrates Māori Language Week to honour Māori’s significant contribution to New Zealand’s red meat sector across the whole supply chain including large-scale farm operators.
Māori make up nearly 40 percent of the meat processing workforce and more than 15 percent of sheep and beef exports come from Māori farming interests.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) runs between 12–18 September this year.
B+LNZ’s Māori Agribusiness Advisor Charles Taituha says, “This year is extra special as 14 September marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, an event that led to many of the kaupapa we have today, including Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.”
Mr Taituha is leading the development of B+LNZ’s Māori Strategy to reflect that one of B+LNZ’s key priorities is to strengthen its partnership with Māori as stakeholders within B+LNZ.
B+LNZ is also committed to upskilling its staff on their understanding of te reo Māori and te ao Māori, including the Board and leadership members. Previously, several staff members participated in an in-depth te reo Māori course.
Ahuwhenua Excellence in Māori Farming
B+LNZ is a proud partner of the Ahuwhenua Excellence in Māori Farming competition.
Pania King a B+LNZ Māori Agribusiness Advisor recently attended one of the Ahuwhenua Field Days.
She says, “What a fantastic day had by all at Wi Pere Trust. Wi Pere is one of the finalist farms in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition. B+LNZ as Gold sponsors were there supporting the Māori Agri-business sector.”
“He ra tino pai ki te katoa o Wi Pere Trust. Ko Wi Pere tetahi o nga pamu whakamutunga i te Whakataetae Tohu Tohu Ahuwhenua. I reira a B LNZ hei kaitautoko koura e tautoko ana i te wahanga pakihi Māori Agri-business.”
About Māori Language Week
Every year since 1975, New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week. This year, te reo Māori Language week is running from 12–18 September. The theme is ‘Kia kaha te Reo Māori’, meaning ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong’. You can find useful information and resources by visiting the official website here.