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Kia ora Jo ... when we met in Taranaki we discussed having a Maori version of the statement 'telling our stories together'.  With a bit of tossing around we came upon this statement 'he kete kōrero, nā tātou, mō tātou'. 

The "Kete Kōrero" statement is a very common concept in Maori circles, especially in formal oratory, that refers to an intangible basket where statements, ideas and issues discussed in a building or a gathering are placed.  It is usually said to be hanging from the ridgebeam of the house (a place of very high status).  It carries with it the concept that when we attend another hui in that building we are able to draw from that kete the statements and ideas of others who were there before. 

The second part is simply a play on the prepositions "nā" and "mō" they are often used as points of debate about who something belongs to or who has rights over it.  By specfically using 'nā' and 'mo' it makes thhat issue clear.  'Nā tātou' means 'produced, spoken or documented by us' (us being all inclusive).  'Mō tātou' means 'about us' or 'regarding us' (again 'us' is all inclusive)

So the statement can be translated literally as 'A holder of information: gathered by us, about us'

Te Reo o Taranaki will continue to use this statement to refer to our Kete, and will discuss it with other regions and if they are of a similar mind then we will use it more widely.

Ruakere Hond 

Tags: kete kōrero tātou byline Māori

Hi Ruakere,

 I love the byline, and think your explanation is beautiful and so very appropriate. Would you be willing to gift it to the project for us all to use?

Regards Jo. 

Kia ora Jo,

There may be some more discussion around the Maori byline but I would think that the concept is universal enough among all regions/iwi that there should be no problem in other areas using it as a reference to kete in reo Maori

Tags: byline, Maori, reo

Kia ora Ruakere,

 Thats fantastic - thank you. I shall ask the Katipo team to create a new Kete logo with the new tagline.

cheers Jo.