WATCH: Air New Zealand goes full te reo for flight to Te Matatini!

Araraurangi (Air New Zealand) conducted its first flight entirely in te reo Māori, carrying competitors ahead of Te Matatini.

NZ1236 from Te Whanganui-a-Tara to Tāmaki Makaurau was conducted from boarding lounge to arrivals gate almost completely in Māori.

“Except for Civil Aviation Authority prescribed announcements, the only language spoken by the pilots and cabin crew will be te reo Māori,” said the airline’s Māori Development Lead Tupara Morrison, ahead of Monday’s flight.

Aboard Monday’s service were two rōpū performance groups, Ngā Taonga Mai Tawhiti and Ngā Uri Taniwha, and kaiwhiriwhiri / judges travelling to the competition.

The airline says a number of their employees will be kaihaka / performers competing at the festival. Morrison said that passengers could expect a bit of a warm up performance aboard the aircraft.

Aboard the plane and awaiting them in Auckland will be “a fair bit of waiata lifting spirits during what is a difficult time for Aotearoa” he said.

Chairman of Te Matatini, Herewini Parata said it was a proud moment for the organisation and the partnership with the airline, which has been in place since 2018.

“Through this collaboration we can align our strategic goals, and showcase our unique Māori language and culture, through the very best in kapa haka excellence.”

What they said ^^!

Ka Pai AirNZ, can we request this for our next flight!?

This article was first published by the NZ Herald and is republished here with edits and permission.

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