Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week, is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate and support te reo Māori. This year, the theme “Ake ake ake – A Forever Language” represents the resilience, adaptability, and enduring nature of te reo Māori. It is a reminder that our language has withstood the pressures of time and change, growing alongside our people, our culture, and our environment.
At WM New Zealand, we believe in the power of language as a connector. This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we invite you to join us in uplifting te reo Māori, integrating it into our everyday operations and communications as part of our commitment to sustainability, community, and the future of Aotearoa.
WM New Zealand: Waste and Sustainability Terms in Te Reo Māori
In our work managing New Zealand’s waste, we see the importance of sustainability every day. This week, we're incorporating more te reo Māori into our vocabulary and encouraging others to do the same. By learning and using these phrases, we honour our commitment to Te Ao Māori and the environment. Here are some key terms in te reo Māori that reflect our mahi (work) in waste management:
Landfill
Electric Truck
Compost
Rubbish
Food Scraps
Plastic
Cardboard
Garden Cuttings
Furniture
A Future of Sustainability and Language
At WM New Zealand, we are proud to be part of the movement that keeps te reo Māori alive—“ake ake ake.” Just as te reo adapts and grows, so does our approach to waste management and sustainability. This Māori Language Week, we encourage everyone to learn and use these phrases, making te reo Māori heard and seen in every corner of our work.
Kia māhorahora te reo – let’s make te reo Māori a language for all, forever.
A 1990s landfill story revisited, tracing how Redvale evolved into a leading example of environmental management in Aotearoa.
Learn more
WM New Zealand supports South Auckland communities tackling moth plant, providing safe disposal solutions that protect waterways and prevent environmental spread.
WM New Zealand celebrates Tui Tane-Mowat’s leadership achievement, supporting wāhine Māori development through programmes grounded in Te Ao Māori and real-world leadership.
