2degrees introduces the world’s first Te Reo Maori smartphone

2degrees introduces the world’s first Te Reo Maori smartphone 2degrees announced the first Te Reo Maori smartphone today at the Te Huarahi Tika Trust annual general meeting.

Maori Affairs Minister, Dr Pita Sharples, took the first call on the Huawei Android smartphone from Te Huarahi Tika Trust Chair Daphne Luke this afternoon.

2degrees worked closely with handset manufacturer, Huawei, to translate all of the menus in its IDEOS X3 smartphone to Te Reo Maori.

2degrees Director and Hautaki Trust Board member Bill Osborne says making Te Reo Maori available in today’s mobile technology was a vision that the Hautaki Trust had when it helped found the company. “Through Hautaki Trust, our primary objective was to engage Maori in the telecommunications industry,” adds Mr Osborne. “A further aim was to ensure that the Maori culture and language were embraced by modern information and communications technology, and the IDEOS X3 smartphone with Te Reo menu is testimony to the commitment to this goal by 2degrees and Maori.”

Mr Osborne says that these new handsets and a range of other initiatives demonstrate the value of the Maori investment in 2degrees, which has already delivered significant benefit to the New Zealand economy.

A recently released report by Venture Consulting showed $2.24 billion of benefits to the economy have already flown from the creation of 2degrees.

The Te Reo IDEOS X3 will be available from 2degrees retail stores before Christmas.

In October, 2degrees launched the Te Reo Huawei G6600 phone for $99 – a lower price option that gives more customers access to Te Reo Maori phones.

For more information about 2degrees products and plans, visit www.2degreesmobile.co.nz