3 days ago
Mark It On The Calendar. Toitū Te Reo Returns!
Toitū Te Reo – Aotearoa's national Māori language festival – is back for its second year, with a refined, refreshed two-day event full of heart, and happening in Heretaunga Hastings.
The festival takes place in and around the Hastings CBD on 13 and 14 November 2025 and as plans begin to take shape, organisers are calling for aligned businesses, service providers, creatives and other entities to get involved.
Festival director and founder Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod says this year's line-up will again include speakers, language workshops, musical performances, food and whānau-friendly events, bringing thousands to the city for celebration, connection, and cultural pride. 'Last year we had an estimated 10,000 people join us – whānau, tamariki, foodies, performers, creatives, reo champions and absolute beginners – all coming together to uplift te reo Māori,' says Jeremy. 'Toitū Te Reo is unapologetically Māori, yet it's incredibly accessible to non-speakers. We want young, old, locals, visitors, and those from every ethnicity to come along and have a go at te reo Māori.'
Spearheaded by Te Matau a Māui-based cultural revitalisation agency Kauwaka, with support from the Matauranga Iwi Leaders' Group, sponsorship opportunities are now available, with something to suit every budget.
While the inaugural festival received Government investment, 2025 is being delivered without it – a shift that has only strengthened the resolve of the organising team.
'It's a different climate,' says Jeremy. 'But we know how warmly the festival was welcomed in 2024 and we've doubled down on our commitment to progress 2025. Our indigenous language deserves centre stage and we're very grateful and humbled by those who believe in our kaupapa and share our commitment to Toitū Te Reo.'
That support includes not just iwi and hapū, but a raft of businesses and volunteers who have already 'jumped in the waka' to deliver a packed schedule of kapa haka, symposiums, interactive workshops and wānanga, toi Māori, live podcasts, kai and more. Although the festival will inhabit a smaller footprint this year, it will again centre around the Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says her Council welcomes the festival's return. Te reo Māori is a taonga, she says, and the festival is instrumental in recognising and celebrating it as such.
'I was very proud when this world-first event was held in Heretaunga Hastings last year, and we saw how affirming and uplifting it was for all who attended.
'It created a real buzz in our city centre, showcasing our first people and our first language and honouring and celebrating our unique partnership here in Aotearoa – as captured and defined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.'
Festival patrons Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai Hono i te Po and Dr Sir Tīmoti Kāretu remain closely involved.
'Toitū Te Reo is a transformative bicultural opportunity for everyone,' concludes Jeremy. 'And it's even more important that we show up and show what we stand for in 2025, when the political discourse around te reo can be so toxic.
'We're extremely pleased at what we delivered in year one, excited about year two, and already dreaming up ways to make Toitū Te Reo an annual event for our region and our country.'
