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The enhancements are designed to significantly improve user experience and accessibility, supporting the preservation and growth of te reo Māori for a new generation of learners.
The rebuilt app features a host of technical and user-facing improvements. Key upgrades include audio clips for 24,000 te reo words, the ability to filter results by idioms and proverbs, and a function to save words to a personal favourites list. The app now provides a seamless, unified experience for both iOS and Android users.
Immediate Success and Widespread Adoption
The upgrades have already proven immensely popular. Within a week of being updated in early August, the app was trending as #2 in New Zealand’s paid-for app category. To date, it has received over 25,000 installs and handles an average of 170,000 searches each day.
Continuing a Legacy of Language Revitalisation
Peter Moorfield of The Te Murumāra Foundation, son of the late founder Professor John C. Moorfield, says the project continues his father's legacy.
“The Te Aka Māori Dictionary is the authoritative resource for accurate Māori translations, and these upgrades make it more accessible than ever. Language is how people connect to the world, history, and culture,” says Moorfield. “We have revitalised the app to ensure there is a world-class resource available for all, continuing the important work of the Te Whanake learning series.”
The Technology Powering the Mission
Dynamo6 founder and Executive Director, Igor Matich, says it’s been a privilege to lend the company’s digital capability to the project.
“We delivered an important app upgrade that helps ensure te reo can be shared with the next generation and budding linguists across the world,” says Matich. “The cloud-based hosting we’ve implemented also means that during peak periods, such as Māori Language Week, the app and website can keep up with demand and support the connecting of people to a language and culture.”
Powering New Zealand's Digital Te Reo Ecosystem
The Te Aka Māori Dictionary also powers many other apps and translations through its API, including the Kupu app, Māori Television, and provides translations for Google Translate and the Oxford University Press.
Top Searches Reveal Language Trends
The top five most searched words to date are: ngā mihi (acknowledgements), whānau (extended family), Māori, mōrena (good morning), and motu (to cut, be separated).
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About Dynamo6
Dynamo6 is a modern IT company with a blend of disciplines to supercharge all digital programs under one roof. We bring the best tech to life to go faster and do better, making teams happier and bringing customers closer.
About Te Murumāra Foundation
The Te Murumāra Foundation aims to protect, maintain and revitalise te reo Māori. The Foundation continues the work of the late Professor John C. Moorfield, who created Te Whanake, a comprehensive suite of text and digital resources for learning and teaching te reo Māori.
Media Contact
Zoe-Louise Bell, marketing@dynamo6.com.
