Moana 2: A Film that Puts Māori Language First

The release of Moana 2 has been met with excitement and anticipation, particularly for fans of the original film who are eager to hear their favorite characters in te reo Māori. For many tamariki Māori, this will be the first time they experience the story in their native language.

The Power of Simultaneous Premiere

One of the greatest strengths of Moana 2 is its simultaneous premiere in both English and te reo versions. This allows many young Māori to hear the film in their own language, promoting normalisation and exposure to te reo Māori.

“I think that’s really exciting,” said lead voice actor Jaedyn Randell, who plays Moana. “That’s all they’ll ever know, and I think that’s really exciting.” This sentiment was echoed by Rutene Spooner, who voices the new character Kele, adding that this approach will enable Māori children to hear the story in te reo without having to navigate an English version first.

A Different Take on Disney Classic

Moana 2 is not a perfect film, and it does not match the original in terms of quality. However, it has its moments – such as when Moana busts out an impromptu haka, twisting her paddle about her body like a taiaha.

Randell and Piripi Taylor have excellent chemistry as Moana and Maui respectively, while the supporting cast brings fun into the film. Awhimai Fraser also shines as Matangi, bringing her own voice and spin to the character.

Te Reo Version: A Full Circle Moment

The success of Moana 2’s te reo version marks a full circle moment for Matewa Media, who have been adapting Disney films into te reo since 2017. The journey began with the adaptation of the original Moana, and has since led to five other Disney films.

For director and producer Tweedie Waititi, this is about creating a world where te reo Māori is an everyday reality. “We want [tamariki] to whakamāori the world,” he said. “If it’s not in Māori, then translate it. If it’s not in Māori, reimagine it.”

Challenges Ahead

While Moana 2 has taken a significant step forward in promoting te reo Māori, there are still challenges to be overcome. A quick look at screenings shows that there are often more English screenings than te reo ones.

Beyond this, the goal is to prove to theaters that there is an audience for Māori language films. As Waititi said, “We want [tamariki] to whakamāori the world.” It’s a lofty goal, but one that has already seen success with Moana 2.

A New Era for Te Reo

The release of Moana 2 marks a new era for te reo Māori. By putting language first and promoting normalisation, we can create a world where te reo is an everyday reality.

In conclusion, while Moana 2 may not be perfect, it has taken a significant step forward in promoting te reo Māori. With its simultaneous premiere in both English and te reo versions, this film has the potential to inspire a new generation of tamariki to whakamāori their world.

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