The group travels by bus to Taupo, while I fly down to Wellington to meet with translators and staff at the Māori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori). I rejoin the group at the Millenium Hotel in the evening to listen to our guest speaker, Chris Winitana.
The offices of the Māori Language Commission are tugged away on the 14th floor of an office building in down-town Wellington, with a beautiful view of the habor, Parliament House and the "beehive", the executive wing of Parliament. Māori art is on display in every corner and on every wall.
Below right: Sharon Armstrong, deputy CEO of the Commission, in her fishbowl office with staff members.
Below left: Sharon and Wareko Te Angina, the language services manager at the Commission.
Below right: Wiha Stevans and Te Awanuiavangi Black, two translators working for the Commission, and Wareko.
In the late afernoon I visit the National Museum of New Zealand "Te Papa Tongarewa"
With its signature blend of traditional and modern Māori and Pakeha art, it is one of the highlights of my trip to New Zealand.
The virtues of speaking the Māori language are extolled in display after display. The exhibit even offers tips on where to get Māori lessons and how to use the language.