The message about the closure of the New World Ōpōtiki store, spoken in Te Reo Māori, was caught on video and is going viral

An employee at a supermarket in the Bay of Plenty caused a stir on social media after paying a closing time visit in the Te Reo Māori language.

New World Ōpōtiki posted a video on its TikTok of one of its junior staff members speaking Māori.

“Well, I'm so gross. I don't think I've ever had a choice but to watch, but I've never had a better choice. He wanted the woman he was to kiss him, and he wanted the woman to kiss him. I'm not quite sure I'm doing that right now. Kia Ora.”

“Greetings to all of you, my friends. In five minutes the store doors will close. So please hurry up with your shopping. We, the employees, want to go home, to our own homes. So let's all be quick. Thank you!”

Some of the comments on social media showed support for the Māori spoken in the video.

“I don't care what it is. Every time I pass through Hamilton on the way to Gizzy or on the way home I stop to buy something at NW Opotiki and show my support for a shop like this. MEKE!!”

Another commentator said it should be the norm in every company.

“Kia ora nau mai ki te reo Māori!!! Mauri, now!!! It was a blessing to see and hear that. “That's beautiful.”

Dan Rolls, the owner of New World Ōpōtiki, has been running the store for more than three years. His team consists of locals and many of them speak fluent Māori.

“It is inspiring to see the confidence of our team members, especially the younger ones, speaking in Te Reo and expressing themselves in this way. Tamati is one of many team members who will be taking part in the Kapa Haka competition this weekend, which we are really looking forward to.

“Many, many hours of practice between their dedication to Mahi will finally bear fruit. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and diverse workplace and that's why it's so great to see the video being received so positively.”

-Te Ao Māori News