Description:

The UN estimates that an indigenous language dies every two weeks. When speakers of minority languages cannot fully engage with technology, this further marginalises their language and reduces their ability to fully participate in society.

Whare Kōrero is committed to the revitalisation of tikanga and te reo Māori - including the establishment of an online repository for all media content to serve the communities and individuals who want to access Māori content and strengthen their connection to their language and their iwi, as well as serving the iwi stations and give them rights to their own data sovereignty.

We have built a digital whare - a place where content can be safely stored and shared, knowing that Māori maintain kaitiakitanga over the data.

There was excitement around having access to Māori media that wasn’t media about Māori - but media for Māori. The same excitement was shown for being able to connect to their iwi that was in a different location to where they are personally.

The app’s live streaming capability broadens the accessibility and reach of iwi content creators to share high rating community events such as kapa haka and tangi without being cut off by global big tech entities such as Facebook or Youtube.

Whare Kōrero is the first indigenous media app of its kind, and since launch in May 2021 has had 3,100 downloads and waves of positive feedback.

Tamati - “E hika mā. Kai te tino harikoa awau ki te kitea te ‘app’ nei. Karawhiua! Te Reo Irirangi ki te ao!!! I’m so excited that an app like this is finally here.”

Ana - “Such a fabulous resource learning te reo, now I have te reo o te kāinga in my pocket”

The iwi radio network produces the most indigenous language content in the world and everyone can access all of it in one place, in one whare, for the protection and revitalisation of tikanga and te reo Māori.