Te Ao Maori is the reason I am the young woman I am today and the reason I'm able to be an amazing mama to my tama. I was fortunate enough to have both my papa (father) and my kuia (nanny) speak to me in the red Maori growing up. I learnt in a Maori environment. I went to Kohanga Reo kei Ngakawai, I then spent one year in Natone Park school where I learnt in a English setting before being moved to Titahi Bay North school in 2006, from 2006-2007 I was in the mainstream unit until I was then again move into our Maori unit that was at Titahi Bay North School called "Te Whanau o Te Kakano" from then right through too year 8 I was in a full learning Maori environment and I absolutely loved it, it installed so many strong beliefs that I have and so many morals that has guided me throughout my years of being a little girl right through to where I am at the moment in my life. I then attended Mana College and I was very nervous when going to college because I knew that not the WHOLE world was Maori, I had re-learn English, reading, writing was something I really struggled with during high-school so I was very thankful that I went to a Kura that could cater to my educational needs. Because my father installed so much of our maoritanga in us at an early age, I only want to be able to pass that on to my son, to teach him where he comes from, how to speak our red, learn about out history and how are we able to keep our red rangatira alive and thriving.