This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/15/hello-death-coca-cola-mixes-english-and-maori-on-vending-machine

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Hello, death': Coca-Cola mixes English and Māori on vending machine 'Hello, death': Coca-Cola mixes English and Māori on vending machine
(about 2 months later)
Coca-Cola’s attempts to combine te reo Māori and English has backfired badly, with the company inadvertently writing “Hello, Death” on a vending machine in New Zealand stocked full of the drink.Coca-Cola’s attempts to combine te reo Māori and English has backfired badly, with the company inadvertently writing “Hello, Death” on a vending machine in New Zealand stocked full of the drink.
Te reo Māori, the language of New Zealand’s indigenous people has been undergoing a revival and big business has taken note.Te reo Māori, the language of New Zealand’s indigenous people has been undergoing a revival and big business has taken note.
Google has launched a Māori version of its website, Google Maps is recording more accurate Māori pronunciations, and Disney has released a Māori version of the hit Polynesian film Moana.Google has launched a Māori version of its website, Google Maps is recording more accurate Māori pronunciations, and Disney has released a Māori version of the hit Polynesian film Moana.
'Māori has gone mainstream': the resurgence of New Zealand's te reo language
“There’s an increasing sense that te reo is good for identifying your business as committed to New Zealand,” said Ngahiwi Apanui, chief executive of the Māori Language Commission.“There’s an increasing sense that te reo is good for identifying your business as committed to New Zealand,” said Ngahiwi Apanui, chief executive of the Māori Language Commission.
But Coca-Cola’s attempts to use the native tongue, which is an official language of New Zealand, has fallen flat. A Coke vending machine emblazoned with the words “Kia ora, Mate”, translates into te reo as “Hello, Death”.But Coca-Cola’s attempts to use the native tongue, which is an official language of New Zealand, has fallen flat. A Coke vending machine emblazoned with the words “Kia ora, Mate”, translates into te reo as “Hello, Death”.
When the languages don't mix well. pic.twitter.com/3piZIoptAEWhen the languages don't mix well. pic.twitter.com/3piZIoptAE
The English use of mate is common in New Zealand and used as a term of endearment and greeting by friends and strangers alike.The English use of mate is common in New Zealand and used as a term of endearment and greeting by friends and strangers alike.
But in te reo Mate means death – as evidenced by the famous haka Ka Mate – and social media users in New Zealand have suggested the slip-up was a rare moment of honesty from a global giant selling sugary drinks.But in te reo Mate means death – as evidenced by the famous haka Ka Mate – and social media users in New Zealand have suggested the slip-up was a rare moment of honesty from a global giant selling sugary drinks.
“The coca cola company gains self awareness?” asked one Twitter user.“The coca cola company gains self awareness?” asked one Twitter user.
“Totally spot on it does mean death for a lot of Indigenous people” replied another.“Totally spot on it does mean death for a lot of Indigenous people” replied another.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world with one in three adult New Zealanders classified as obese.New Zealand has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world with one in three adult New Zealanders classified as obese.
According to statistics New Zealand 50% of Māori adults are obese, as well as 18% of Māori children.According to statistics New Zealand 50% of Māori adults are obese, as well as 18% of Māori children.
Coca-Cola New Zealand was contacted for comment.Coca-Cola New Zealand was contacted for comment.
New ZealandNew Zealand
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
Indigenous peoplesIndigenous peoples
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content