Media Releases

Tohu Kairangi/Special Commendation Award for Guyon Espiner

Released at 10:32 pm on 23 November 2018

Guyon Espiner, co-presenter of RNZ’s flagship news programme Morning Report, received te Tohu Kairangi at the Māori Language Commission’s 15th Ngā Tohu Reo Māori, the National Māori Language Awards, held at Te Papa on Friday evening, 23 November.

Māori Language Commission Chief Executive Ngahiwi Apanui says Guyon’s award reflects his sustained high profile commitment and his representation of our message to everyone – learn a little, use a little, learn more, use more  – ahakoa iti, akona, kōrerohia.

On receiving the award Guyon acknowledged and thanked the Māori Language Commission.

“Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou ki Te Taura Whiri mō tēnei tohu.”

He went on to say he was shocked by the decision. “Tumeke tonu au i te whakatau!”

Guyon acknowledged the work the Māori Langauage Commission does to promote te reo Māori every day. “Ngā mihi ki Te Taura Whiri mō tō rātou mahi ki te whakatairanga i te reo Māori ia rā.”

“Ngā mihi ki a koutou ki te whānau o Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa, ko Jim Mather koutou ko Paul Thompson, ko Shannon Haunui-Thompson mo tō koutou tautoko ki a au, me tēnei kaupapa hoki.

“Thank you to you the RNZ family – to Jim Mather, Paul Thompson, Shannon Haunui-Thompson – for your support for me on this journey.

“Ko te aronga o tō mātou kaupapa, ki roto i Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa, ki te horapa te reo i roto i ngā āhuatanga katoa i ngā mahi, ia rā.

“The main purpose of this journey within RNZ is to normalise the use of the Māori language.”

Acknowledging Guyon’s award RNZ Chief Executive Paul Thompson says: ““We are thrilled for Guyon. He is leading the way with his use of te reo Māori on Morning Report and is bringing many listeners on the journey with him. Ahakoa he iti he pounamu.” 

RNZ Kurahautu Māori – Māori Strategy Manager Shannon Haunui-Thompson also attended the Awards and says: "Guyon's reo journey has inspired not only some of our listeners but also his co-workers to learn and speak te reo Māori. 

“It has been a true pleasure and honour to hear, watch and be part of his reo Māori journey. 

“E te whatukura, tēnei te mihi ki a koe me tō kaha, tō maia ki te kōrero i tō tātou reo rangatira ia rā, ia rā."

The theme this year for Māori Language Week was ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’: ‘May the Māori language be strong’

ENDS