For the first time ever Air New Zealand ran a full flight with te reo Maori as the language of choice.
Pilots on flight NZ 1236 spoke in Te Reo, gate and in-flight announcements, in-flight services, and check-in kiosks all used Te Reo. The only English used was the Civil Aviation Authority's prescribed announcements.
Everyone on the flight from Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) to Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) are performing or involved in the highly anticipated and distinguished kapa haka event Te Matatini, which starts tomorrow (22nd of Feb).
According to Stuff, the passengers consisted of "two performing ropu, Nga Taonga Mai Tawhiti and Nga Uri Taniwha, festival judges, and representatives from various organisations including Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission) and Te Matawai."
At one point, the whole plane sang a waiata, which was shared on the Te Matatini Instagram account.
Tupara Morrison, Air New Zealand's lead of Maori development, said it was the best time he's ever had flying from the capital to the City of Sails and hopes the festival can lift the Motu's morale.
"It was the most enjoyable flight from Wellington to Auckland that I've ever had," he told Stuff. "This initiative that we did today shows the airline's commitment to the promotion of the language and the partnership with Te Matatini is helping us to achieve that."
"Hopefully a lot of the mauri from the festival is going to get to those in Te Tairawhiti, Kahungunu and Hawke's Bay and hopefully play a part in lifting the spirits of the people down there."
As mentioned before, Te Mataini kicks off tomorrow at Eden Park in Tamaki Makaurau and will go for three days, showing off "the best of the best in te ao kapa haka from right across Aotearoa and Australia," according to their website.
