Bilingual school traffic signs unveiled in Napier
St Patrick’s School has had its bilingual traffic signs unveiled - one of the first in the country to do so since a recent rule change was introduced.
The introduction of the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices (Kura/School Signs) Amendment 2022 is part of the He Tohu Huarahi Māori bilingual traffic signs programme led by Te Mātāwai and Waka Kotahi which will see more bilingual signs enabled using a phased approach.
The amended rule shows the word Kura in bolder font above the word school to differentiate te reo Māori and English on new school traffic signs.
Speaking at the launch in Ahuriri Napier, Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod, local Te Mātāwai Board representative and Director at Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated said: “Initiatives such as these go a long way to reinstating te reo Māori within the district".
"Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated salutes the efforts being undertaken to normalise te reo Māori again within our tribal region."
Te Mātāwai Board Co-Chair Reikura Kahi said this kaupapa represents a positive contribution to Māori and the Crown's shared vision; kia māhorahora te reo Māori – to share and celebrate Māori language.
"We see this as a critical step to expand the spaces where people feel empowered to use the Māori language in their communities.”
The He Tohu Huarahi Māori programme is supported by a multi-disciplinary team from both organisations and an expert panel of te reo Māori translators from across the motu. Te Mātāwai was established in 2016 by Te Ture o te reo Māori (Māori Language Act) and works in partnership with the Crown for Māori language revitalisation.
Waka Kotahi Director of Land Transport Kane Patena said their vision of contributing to having te reo Māori seen heard and spoken is aligned with Te Mātāwai.
“This small but important step represents a significant opportunity to increase Aotearoa whānui engagement with te reo Māori through traffic signs.”
