School kapa haka performs for rest home

Tamariki have been sharing their language with kaumātua at a Wellington rest home as part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - or Māori Language Week - celebrations.

Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Mokopuna students and their teachers entertained at Ultimate Care in Mount Victoria on Tuesday.

For resident Tama Warren, the songs brought back fond memories of his own time performing kapa haka in the 1950s.

"It makes me think back, back to those days."

After requesting a song from the children, he gave his own performance in return.

Erich Renner, 90, was born in Germany and knows six languages including Russian and Arabic. His daughter and granddaughter both speak some Te Reo Māori.

While he says he "can't learn another" language at his age, he loved today's performance.

"Oh that was most enjoyable, most enjoyable," he says.

Resident Valmai Clarke says Te Reo Māori wasn't taught in schools in her day but she's all for it.

"I think it's wonderful, it really is, it's our national song, voice, speech."

Melissa Nepe Apatu is a kaiako, or teacher, at Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Mokopuna, and says today's visit is about reviving Te Reo Māori and kaumātua.

"It's a simple language, it's a feeling language so I guess it's about creating relationships too, that's that importance of Te Reo Māori."

Ultimate Care facility manager Lindsey Wood says it helps the members "come alive and remember the days when they were younger".

The rest home will also host a Kiri Te Kanawa happy hour and a marae visit as part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori festivities.

Newshub.