EV Charging in Te Reo Māori
Māori Language Week
The Thundergrid network has proudly introduced its first EV chargers equipped with Māori language support. This significant milestone marks the successful completion of a long-term collaborative project between Transpower, Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust, Huia Publishers, Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission), and the initial users.
A Collaborative Effort
The initiative emerged from a partnership between Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust, Transpower, Huia Publishers, and Thundergrid. Translating terms like 'EV charging' or 'scan the QR code' into te reo Māori presented a complex challenge. However, integrating Māori customs into everyday life is a priority for Transpower, Huia Publishers, and Thundergrid, who were eager to assist Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust in this endeavour.
Starting the journey
The idea took shape a year ago when Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust aimed to install EV chargers at their central North Island Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga near Waiotapu. Mick Richardson from Transpower's Flexibility Services team saw the opportunity to support the iwi alongside Thundergrid, the provider of smart EV chargers. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to offer a charging experience in te reo Māori?” What began as a concept evolved into a year-long project. Translating technical terminology into an indigenous language requires careful thought, ethical sensitivity, and professional expertise.
Revitalizing the Lexicon
There was a shared understanding of the need to support te reo Māori in daily life. The excitement grew as the project commenced, aiming to translate the technical language of smart EV chargers from English into New Zealand’s indigenous language. Beyond translation, this effort required proofreading and creating new entries in a Māori papakupu (lexicon) to ensure dual-language functionality for the EV smart chargers.
Huia Publishers was engaged to handle this task. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the spirit of tikanga Māori, Huia Publishers committed to involving three translators and consulting with Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust to ensure the chosen terms were culturally appropriate. The ultimate goal was to have these terms officially recognized by Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori, and included in their He Putunga Kupu Hou lexical database, thereby validating the new terms for EV charging.
Precision and Collaboration
Huia Publisher’s involvement was a deliberate choice, marked by a serendipitous moment when their team arrived at Transpower just as a waiata rōpū was performing "Whakarongo" in the foyer to support Te Wiki o te reo Māori last year. Such moments reflect the ‘wairua’ (spirituality) that pervades te ao Māori. "Whakarongo," written in 1980 to support the Māori language, symbolizes the project’s spirit.
After extensive sessions with Huia and online consultations, the translation project came to fruition. The new terminology was not only translated but also reviewed and refined through constant exchanges with Felicity Nepia of Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust. This collaborative process led to the creation of a comprehensive set of terms, which were then officially registered to ensure their widespread use and recognition.
Recognition from Te Taura Whiri
Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori was impressed by the meticulous work and dedication of all involved parties. The Commission sent a congratulatory email to Huia Publishers, acknowledging the successful translation of dual-language EV charging terms. The high quality of the work and adherence to their lexical framework stood out. Transpower granted permission for the terms to be added to the organisation’s lexical database and promoted their usage.
All new terms are now officially registered and reflected in bilingual signage.
Bringing It All Together
Returning to the project’s origins, Mick Richardson reconnected with Thundergrid to implement the new Māori language terms. Charley Davenport, Network Operations Manager at Thundergrid, configured the chargers for Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga.
The team updated the Inch Pro EV charger systems with the new te reo Māori version. Evelyn Forrest, General Manager at Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa, and Felicity Nepia, Cultural Lead, were briefed on the new features on site. The EV charging whānau celebrated the successful integration of tikanga Māori into the project.
A Milestone for Māori Language Week
In time for Māori Language Week, the Inch Pro EV chargers in the Thundergrid network are now available in te reo Māori upon request. The Sustainability Trust public charger at 2 Forrester Lane in Wellington’s city centre is the first to offer bilingual support. Other customers and partners in the network have already shown interest in this innovative development.
What began as a small idea has sparked significant change. It symbolizes how traditional and modern technologies can harmoniously coexist, demonstrating the potential for EV charging in te reo Māori to make a meaningful impact on New Zealanders and our vibrant Māori culture.
Happy Wiki o Te Reo Māori everyone!
