A new weekly gathering in Whakatāne is giving locals a relaxed space to practise speaking te reo Māori over a morning coffee.

Kawhe Kōrero sessions are held every Thursday from 7am to 8am at All The Sands café on Commerce Street, welcoming anyone keen to practise, listen or learn more about the language.

The idea was started by Hasley Toheriri, with the help of Hani Totorewa and Hana Aranga.

Mr Toheriri said the informal mornings were about encouraging people to build confidence with te reo Māori in a supportive environment.

“I wanted to get back into practising speaking Māori myself,” he said.

“I thought I’d start something up and grab a few people to come down.”

The group has been meeting since January, with around seven to 10 people typically attending each week.

Participants gather over coffee and work through simple topics designed to get people talking. These might include everyday themes such as summer, parts of the body or food.

“We usually think of a topic and come up with words related to it,” Mr Toheriri said.

“Then we try to put those words into sentences and describe things.”

For example, a session about food might include describing items such as a “crunchy apple” or “shiny apple”, helping people practise vocabulary and sentence structure they can use in everyday life.

The sessions are open to everyone, regardless of experience with the language.

“It’s for all levels,” Mr Toheriri said. “Some people just come along to listen, and others give it a go.”

Creating a comfortable environment is a key focus, especially for those who might feel nervous about speaking te reo Māori in front of others.

“We’ve had people who were quite shy about coming along,” he said. “But once they turn up, they realise it’s all good. Everyone is welcoming and encouraging.”

Mr Toheriri said learning te reo Māori was about more than just language.

“You don’t just learn the language - you learn the things that come with it, the Māori world view. It helps you be more in tune with the environment we live in.”

The sessions are also an opportunity to support the café’s new owner, Jada Fraser, who has welcomed the group using the space.

Kawhe Kōrero runs Thursdays from 7am to 8am at All The Sands café, 191 Commerce Street, opposite Rex Morpeth Park. No registration is required and anyone looking for a supportive space to practice te reo Maori is welcome to attend.