A sand art mural decorates Mount Main Beach for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

McMath said Bay of Plenty Times On Saturday, people viewing the mural were invited to write a word in Maori or draw designs.

In a press release last week, McMath said that in line with Te Wiki 2024’s theme of “Ake, Ake, Ake”, the event aims to recognise te reo as the “eternal language” of Aotearoa.

“Toi onepū (sand art) is the perfect medium to represent te reo Māori,” McMath said.

“Like the tides and the sand, our language has endured, and through the kotahitadze it will continue to thrive. It is an honor to use our craft to tell this story.

“Tauranga Moana has a rich history and a deep connection to te reo Māori, and we encourage everyone from tamariki to kaumātua to come and show your support for our taonga, our language. Kia mahorahora te reo. Make it visible, make it heard.”

McMath said the two artists wanted to contribute to the resurgence of te reo Māori in the town, which saw te reo Māori slogans on local rubbish bins “shamefully” painted over last year.

Sand artist Kenrick Smith said te reo Māori lives and thrives in New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty, a place he called home.

“I am proud to be part of this project. It is an honour to create this piece of sand art and I hope it encourages and inspires everyone of all ages to learn and use more te reo Māori at home and at work.”

Whineray said capturing the event on film would allow the message to spread far and wide. It would remind people of the “importance of preserving and promoting te reo Māori, not just during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, but every day”.

“Our whakapapa is woven into every part of Tauranga Moana and it is through te reo Māori that we give expression to our histories, our identities and our futures.

“This toi onepū is more than just a celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – it is a powerful statement of resilience and pride. I am incredibly proud to lead this kaupapa and invite our Tauranga Moana to come and stand together to defend our language.”

McMath said the event will feature live sand art creation, networking with artists and celebrating reo in a “communal, uplifting environment.”

“Let’s come together as a community, stand up for te reo Māori and celebrate its presence in our everyday lives. This event is not just about art in the sand; it’s about keeping our language strong in the hearts of our people and being heard loud and clear across Aotearoa – ake, ake, ake.”