Weather usually follows the news but now it’s the very subject making headlines around the world. And no, this has nothing to do with climate change.
A weather presenter in New Zealand has spoken about complaints she received for using traditional Maori language in her reports at the end of the nightly television news.
The backlash from some viewers against Kanoa Lloyd, a presenter for TV3, has sparked debate about whether or not it’s appropriate to use Maori words in a broadcast aimed at English-speakers.
The 28-year-old told Radio New Zealand that she was shocked by some of the responses she had received after using Maori words like kia ora (hello) and Aotearoa (New Zealand) in her reports.
“It’s been a new thing to me, people writing to me to request I don’t refer to New Zealand as Aotearoa, and to be honest I was a bit surprised by it,” Lloyd said. “I thought I had a bit of a thick skin but I’ve never really encountered people who take offence to Maori being used.”
Interest in the story came after Kanoa tweeted the following on January 29 this year:
“I think some people are also a bit challenged by the fact that I sometimes I refer to the North and South islands by their Maori names; Te Ika-ā-Māui and Te Waipounamu, and I say ‘Kia Ora’. I try to use kupu [words] in that format as much as I possibly can,” the weather presenter said since.
Thankfully, it seems that there are far more New Zealand viewers who enjoy the use of the traditional language as part of the broadcast, than there are viewers who complain. Lloyd has since received an outpouring of support on Twitter, from viewers who feel it’s a lovely, casual, everyday way to continue paying homage to the culture of New Zealand’s original inhabitants.
Here’s just a taste of what people had to say:
These messages of support were clearly exactly what she needed to hear. The presenter added this response two weeks later:
Top Comments
I find this really surprising, I've spent a few months on NZ and from an outsider, it seemed much more inclusive of Maori culture and people than Australia's relationship with the Aboriginal culture and people (which is tumultuous to say the least)
There were many Maori people in government and the media - I also heard Caucasians using Maori language and phrases, as one of the posters put below. The government seemed to have a much better history with their people - including giving them land rights in the 1800s! But that being said the mainstream is not always the same - and it's a shame
Haha. Everyone in New Zealand uses te reo in everyday conversations! Even I did (being an Aussie living in NZ!) It's ridiculous that people are even complaining. Keep going Kanoa - keep the language alive. God knows Australia could take a few lessons from NZ on preserving indigenous heritage.