# Language news, Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Compiled by Richard Brooks's language news desk. Canonical: https://richard-brooks.com/language-news/2026-09-22/

## Auckland robots interpret Māori-worldview sign for Deaf Turi Māori

Tech. University of Auckland researchers have working humanoid robots that recognise and teach a sign language co-designed with Turi Māori, aimed at reconnecting Deaf Māori with Te Ao Māori in schools and kōhanga.

Source: University of Auckland, https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/09/21/robotic-sign-language-interpreter-deaf-maori-development.html

## Mini Motorways launches full te reo Māori build as Rori Riki

Culture. Wellington studio Dinosaur Polo Club and Kūwaha released a free full te reo Māori localisation of the traffic game, renamed Rori Riki, for its 9 million players on Steam, Switch and Apple Arcade during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Source: Te Ao Māori News, https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/09/16/te-reo-maori-makes-its-way-into-the-gaming-world-as-part-of-te-wiki-o-te-reo-celebrations/