Te Reo Māori takes the Winter Olympic stage

Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna 2026 is the second edition of the Māori–English Olympic sports glossary that extends te reo Māori into the unique disciplines, environments, and moments that define the Winter Games. From ice and snow to speed and endurance, this resource reflects the evolving language of high-performance sport through a Māori worldview.

Through the ongoing partnership between Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission), the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Rangiata Sky, te reo Māori continues to be celebrated, heard, and used in one of the world’s most visible and unifying events.

New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Nicki Nicol says the resource is about more than words.

“This resource strengthens the connection between our Winter Olympians and Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s about identity, pride and the values that unite us on the world stage,” Nicol said.

She adds that cultural preparation has been weaved throughout the team’s build up.

“The Winter Wānanga in Māwhera (Greymouth) was the powerful first step in preparing our athletes culturally as well as physically, followed by workshops and haka practice. Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna 2026 builds on that journey, ensuring our team carries the spirit of home into every moment of competition.”

This glossary showcases the names of all sports on the Winter Olympic Programme and goes deeper into the five core sports Aotearoa New Zealand athletes are aiming to compete in at Milano Cortina, building on the 30 sports from Te Reo Māori ki Parī 2024 and more than 1000 words and phrases created for Paris 2024. This glossary lays the groundwork for future editions that will include an even broader range of winter sports.

Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori says by creating new terms for winter sports, we affirm te reo Māori’s place in every corner of life, including the global sporting arena.

“The kupu and kīanga created for Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna 2026 showcase just how dynamic te reo Māori is. Seeing and hearing our indigenous language used on the ice in Italy or from the couch in Aotearoa, this kaupapa is about normalising the language. Te reo Māori continues to grow and adapt, helping us to articulate the evolving world around us,” Apanui-Barr said.

“Te reo Māori connects us all as New Zealanders. By using our language to celebrate the Winter Olympics, we strengthen our collective ties to Aotearoa while sharing our unique identity with the world.”

Pou Ārahi for Rangiata Sky, Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds says: “As a proud local broadcaster, we have an important role to ensure te reo Māori not only survives but thrives – especially at moments of national significance like the Winter Olympic Games.

This glossary, as an extension of Te Reo Māori ki Parī 2024, is a new taonga (treasure) that helps our Sky Sport whānau continue to grow their confidence and proficiency on screen, while sharing the beauty and mana of te reo Māori with audiences around Aotearoa. 

“By integrating te reo Māori alongside English across our presenters, coverage and promotions, we’re using our platform to educate, amplify and celebrate our unique indigenous culture and language on one of the biggest sporting stages.”

Whether broadcasters are sharing the triumphs and challenges of our athletes, students are exploring the Olympics through the curriculum, or whānau and fans are cheering from near and far, this glossary is a tool for everyone bringing te reo Māori into moments of collective pride and celebration.

Kia kaha te kapa o Aotearoa.
Kia kaha te reo Māori.

Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the development of this glossary. This work builds on the strong foundation laid by Te Reo Māori ki Parī 2024, and we acknowledge its translators, Oriini Kaipara, Raniera Harrison, and Te Ama‑Rere Tai Rangihuna, whose expertise and care informed many of the terms included here. Our thanks also go to the wider community of linguists, reviewers, and knowledge‑holders whose guidance and insight made this resource possible.

Ngā Kaiwhakamāori, Ngā Kaitito Kīanga | Translators, Aphorists
Tāne Karamaina, Te Arepa Morehu, Hirini Stewart, Piripi Walker
Ngā Kaiwhakaū Kounga | Quality Assurance
Tāne Karamaina, Te Arepa Morehu, Hirini Stewart, Piripi Walker
Te Ngā Kaiarotake | Review
Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr
Ngā Kaiārahi | Leaders
Alex Spence (Te Whare o Pou Tangata), Pirimia Burger (Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori),
Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds (Rangiata Sky)