Ko te wiki o te reo Māori tenei - and it marks half a century since the Māori language petition was presented to parliament.

It also marks 35 years since it was recognised as an official language of Aotearoa.

Members of the Māori Language Society have gathered at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki today to celebrate and to reflect and to honour the reo Māori champions.

One of those who delivered the petition, Whaimutu Dewes, spoke to Māni Dunlop about gathering there today.