Face of the Day

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith ordered officials to remove te reo Māori greetings and references to “Aotearoa New Zealand” in an official invitation to the formal Matariki celebration this year.

Critics say the action is “shameful” and “contrary” to celebrating the indigenous language.

Documents obtained by 1News show Ministry for Culture and Heritage staff drafted a letter to Goldsmith’s Australian counterpart, Tony Burke, using the salutations “tēnā koe” and “nāku noa nā”, as well as “Aotearoa New Zealand”.

But in an email an official noted changes directed by Goldsmith: “Following the changes made to Hon Burke’s letter from the Minister last week (i.e. removing all te reo Māori salutations and the removal of any references made to Aotearoa, New Zealand) please find below the updated email”, the official wrote.

The updated invitation showed a template for the Minister’s official invitations to dignitaries, which removed te reo Māori greetings, and the word “Aotearoa”.

“Tēnā koe” became “Dear”, while sign off “nāku noa, nā” became “Yours Sincerely”.

1News