FCB & RUN launch Four Square Māori shopping list translator

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Four Square – alongside FCB Aotearoa and Maori-owned creative agency Run – has developed and launched a te reo Māori shopping list translator.

The free, easy-to-use app, Rārangi Kai, enables shoppers to create their grocery list from 200+ everyday essentials in English and then translate it. 

Four Square brand & marketing manager Diane Clark said the company is committed to fostering te reo and the Rārangi Kai app is an innovative way to do this. 

“With our large reach across the country, Rārangi Kai was something we felt was a significant step as part of our longer te ao [world view] Māori journey.  

“The Rārangi Kai shopping list translator is a simple way for New Zealanders to integrate te reo Māori into their everyday lives while doing their shop with Four Square – and other supermarkets too. 

“We’re excited for our customers to start using this app and to use more te reo Māori in our stores.

“Rārangi Kai is not restricted to Four Square stores – it can be used at all supermarkets.”

“Four Square developed Rārangi Kai alongside FCB Aotearoa and Run, two creative partners with a focus on whanaungatanga [kinship].

FCB ECD says the app changes the shopping list into a learning experience. “It’s a great way to add words into your weekly life and get whānau involved too. I know with my own te reo journey it’s easier to learn when there’s a fun and interactive component.”

Run CD Raymond Otene McKay said: “Being a Māori-owned agency, we get a lot of organisations approaching us in the lead up to Te Wiki o te Reo Māori [government-sponsored initiative intended to encourage New Zealanders to promote the use of the Māori language], wanting to champion and uplift te reo for the week.

“What Four Square have done with this app is awesome, because they’re incorporating te reo Māori in a way that’s practical and accessible.

“And it’s great that it’s long-standing, extending beyond Māori Language Week.”

• Access the app here rarangikai.foursquare.co.nz