What Māori Language Week Means to Us
At HPCE Aotearoa, Māori Language Week is far more than a calendar moment. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the values that guide us every day: respect, humility, manaakitanga, and connection. Cultural capability isn’t just about learning the right words or protocols; it’s about how we show up for our clients, our communities, and each other.
In our mahi, we regularly engage with Taumata groups, kaumatua, and pae who guide us through tikanga appropriate to each region and kaupapa. Whether it’s the way we open and close an event, or how we support speakers and dignitaries onsite, our aim is for every team member - Māori and non-Māori - to feel confident and comfortable in these spaces.
Learning, Adapting, Growing
Māori Language Week also reminds us that learning is ongoing. Tikanga is not one-size-fits-all, and it shifts and evolves across rohe, just as our understanding and relationships do. Our commitment to cultural capability is about being aware, adaptable, and grounded in humility, no matter where we’re working, from Rotorua to Tāmaki Makaurau to Ōtautahi.
That confidence starts with understanding. Through our work at HPCE Aotearoa and Wild Apricot, we see daily how tikanga Māori brings depth, respect, and meaning to events. It’s not just about putting on a conference or gathering; it’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and connected.
Our Whānau, Our Journey
Whanaungatanga (relationship) is a value close to our hearts. More often than not, colleagues, clients, and suppliers become friends - our HPCE Aotearoa whānau, if you will. Like many across Aotearoa, some of us are on our own whakapapa and te reo journeys. Instead of feeling whakama (shame) about that, we’re learning to embrace it with excitement and pride. A huge mihi to those who continue to guide us with wisdom and encouragement.
This commitment isn’t reserved just for Māori Language Week; it’s how we choose to show up every day, in our work, our relationships, and our support for one another as a team.
Earlier this year, we embarked on a company-wide cultural capability journey, and on day one, there were tears, open hearts, and a shared sense of purpose. Our journey continues with another session next month.
The Wisdom We Hold Close
On a personal level, many of our team are on their own whakapapa and language journeys. We’re grateful to the mentors and colleagues who have guided us with wisdom and patience along the way; Matua Kingi Biddle, Ngahi-o-te-ra Bidois, Dr Jim Mather, and his team members Itaria and Puna, as our Cultural Capability workshop hosts.
This week, our team has been sharing their favourite whakataukī/proverb to reflect what Māori Language Week means to each of us, and here’s just a flavour of what our team has contributed:
“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.” My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective. This reminds us of the privilege of working together to bring successful events and conferences to life across Aotearoa.
“Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.” Let us keep close together, not far apart. This speaks to the power of staying connected, supporting one another, and moving forward together, the essence of our Relationships and Projects mahi. “He waka eke noa – together, we thrive.”
“Ehara te kumara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka.” The kumara does not say how sweet it is. A call to humility and a reminder of the opportunities still to be unlocked for Māori and Pasifika communities.
Looking Ahead
For us, Māori Language Week is a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come, and recommit to the journey ahead. It’s about recognising the richness that tikanga Māori brings to our work and the lives of everyone we connect with.
This week and every week, we’re inspired to keep deepening our knowledge, our relationships, and our practice. We hope that every event we deliver carries not just seamless logistics and engaging content but also a sense of depth, respect, and belonging.
He waka eke noa - together, we thrive.