Google Aotearoa launched

Here in New Zealand we’re celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2008. To mark the event, Google has launched a version of their search homepage in the language of New Zealand’s indigenous people.

by Helen Leggatt

maori%20flag.jpg During Māori Language Week 2008, the language of the native Māori people of New Zealand is used and promoted across the nation, encouraging Kiwis to embrace and learn the little-used tongue.

This year the language of the Māori will be on a global stage as Google adds it to their ever increasing list of homepage languages.

Google currently represents 117 language options from Afrikaans to Zulu, although Tonga was, until now, the only Pacific language option. There’s even an Elmer Fudd and Klingon choice available.

“A living language is an evolving language, and Google Māori is an ideal way to make te reo Māori available in an ever increasing digital environment," said Huhana Rokx, chief executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission). "It enables learners to increase their understanding of te reo Māori by using the Google Māori Language Tool. Fluent and native speakers are able to search and access online content and connections in te reo Māori."