Developed in partnership with myReo Studios, Pāhekoheko is the latest digital resource that supports the concept of Māori language movement ‘Puni Reo’ – mobilising communities, whānau and rangatahi.

“We’ve been working with the team at myReo Studios to develop innovative digital resources that would make using te reo Māori in sports fun and relevant,” says Marty Rogers, Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Puni Reo Pāhekoheko is the latest digital resource we have developed and uses virtual reality to encourage rangatahi, whānau, and communities to use te reo Māori while playing sports.”

Designer Kawana Wallace of myReo Studios says “I’m very proud of Puni Reo Pāhekoheko.”

“We wanted to create a resource that activated te reo Māori in sports.  That’s why we are using virtual reality technology for Puni Reo Pāhekoheko.  I believe it is the first Māori sports VR game ever developed.”

Puni Reo Pāhekoheko means to join or to interact.  

“All of the Puni Reo digital resources are aimed at encouraging the use of te reo Māori in sports,” says Eruera Lee-Morgan, Te Puni Kōkiri Senior Advisor Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Eruera has been leading the Puni Reo project for Te Puni Kōkiri.  He has used his te reo Māori skills and experience in delivering te reo based programmes to develop valuable digital resources for everyone,” says Marty Rogers.

Earlier digital resources include Puni Reo Ki-O-Rahi, Puni Reo Poitarawhiti (netball), and Puni Reo Poi Pātū (squash).

“We encourage everyone to use the Puni Reo digital resources.  They have been developed to encourage everyone to use te reo Māori in sports and to have fun,” says Eruera.

The Puni Reo digital resources support the outcomes of the Government’s Maihi Karauna Māori Language Strategy which is to have te reo Māori being spoken everywhere, everyway, everyone, every day.

All Puni Reo resources are available for download from the App Store.