By Sylvia Bauer, Editors ANZ
Back this July by popular demand after speaking in 2021, Pania Tahau-Hodges hosted her second workshop on editing te reo Māori in English-language texts.
This topic affects all editors in Aotearoa New Zealand, so it’s no wonder Pania’s first workshop for Editors ANZ sold out.
Pania (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tūhoe) has been working in publishing for 26 years, most of which have been spent at Huia Publishers – an award-winning Indigenous and independent publishing house. She is now one of its directors.
She also holds a Master of Indigenous Studies from the University of Otago. Her thesis was Toitū te mātauranga Māori: the protection of mātauranga Māori in the publishing industry (2020).
What is mātauranga Māori?
Pania defines mātauranga Māori as “… Māori knowledge in its most expansive and all-encompassing form – fortified with all the values, experiences, attitudes and worldviews handed down by our tīpuna (ancestors), and intrinsically woven into ever-evolving and unique knowledge systems.
“It is heavily influenced by the relationships Māori have with the natural world, and develops, grows and adapts as each generation experiences changes and challenges in their local environment.”
Māori language content can include words, phrases, sentences, extracts, glossaries, quotes, logos, terms of address and statements of cultural identity. However, the holistic definition of Māori knowledge alerts us that editing te reo Māori, like any language, is about much more than crossing Ts, dotting Is and placing macrons correctly.
Do you know what you don’t know?
As we progressed through the workshop, I was often reminded of Crystal Shelley’s presentations to IPEd on editing for sensitivity, diversity and inclusion. As we know, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Editors have power, so we must use it with awareness and sensitivity.
My takeaways from both Crystal’s and Pania’s workshops were to be aware of what we don’t know, be humble, do due diligence and be open to learning.
Good intentions, relationships and publications
Pania reminded us that editors are responsible to the author, the publisher and the audience. But she challenged us to consider that the role of editor also carries a duty of care to te reo Māori – a duty to value it and protect its quality, integrity and authenticity. Although most of us are nowhere near experts in te reo Māori, like life in general, it’s all about having good intentions and creating good relationships.
If we know our wheelhouse (areas of strength), we can consult experts in our weak areas. And we can be allies of the Māori language. Regardless of our own levels of Māori language proficiency, we can all look for areas to uphold and showcase it.
What’s your process?
Pania explored the challenges, issues, opportunities and considerations of editing te reo Māori, and discussed our role in protecting its value, quality, authenticity and integrity.
Māori-language text must go through the same publishing stages as English-language text (e.g. structural editing, copy editing, proofreading), and often other checks too, depending on the content.
For example:
- Whose mātauranga is it?
- Whose reo is being used?
- Are there permissions to be sought before starting? Which iwi? Which hapū?
- What relationships do you need to cultivate?
We must ensure the appropriate individuals and representatives are involved in the entire process, as different cultural checks are needed at each stage. For example:
- What dialect or spelling preferences should be used?
- Does another iwi have a different version of the story? How will you address this and preserve relationships?
- At what points will iwi representatives have the opportunity to check iterations of the text or design?
- Have you included iwi sign off on the final version in your project plan?
Te reo Māori resources
The workshop wasn’t recorded, but Pania suggested the following resources for helping ensure the accuracy and integrity of te reo text:
- He Pātaka Kupu (in Māori only; for orthography – spelling conventions)
- Paekupu
- Te Aka Māori dictionary
- Te Ara – the encyclopedia of New Zealand
- Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Guidelines for Māori language orthography
- Toitū te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand, NZ Geographic Board
- Wakareo
- Iwi websites
- Local sources
And if your research doesn’t give clear answers, use a footnote to explain your decision or thinking.
Two videos that Pania shared with us also show the essential place Huia Publishing holds in the Aotearoa publishing landscape:
Video 1: Huia 30 Years Anniversary Animation (English) (1 min)
Video 2: HUIA – Celebrating 21 Years of Publishing (6 min)
The bottom line: It’s up to each of us
Violent colonial efforts to stamp out te reo Māori last century devastated Māori language and culture for generations to come. So, it’s very hopeful to see so many people learning and embracing it in recent decades.
Given current government policies that minimise and devalue te reo and Māori culture, it’s more important than ever to continue using, appreciating and championing it.
Pania shared solid tools for this, and I’d love to see her talk become an annual presentation to Editors ANZ – both as an awareness-raiser for new members and as a refresher or extender for the rest of us.
Kia ora Pania, for generously and openly sharing your extensive knowledge, experience and wisdom with us.