Kia Ora koutou, Ko Eulalia ahau. For a long time i had felt disconnected from my culture and embarrassed at the fact that i am unable to Kōrero Māori. My drive came from the beginning of my Whakapapa journey when i left the place i called home (Ōtautahi) in Te Waipounamu to go find the roots of my whānau in Te Ika-A-Māui. Along the way i met many who spoke of the need for more Reo Māori to be spoken in our home land and many that shared a similar shame as me, being Māori with only the bare minimum understanding of our Reo. I also met a few whom spoke our Reo fluently! My journey lead me to finally push my shame aside and sign up to learn Te Reo Māori through Te Wananga O Raukawa which ultimately gave me the tools to become a part of the revitalization movement of Te Reo Māori. I could and can feel the importance deep with-in my wairua as a Māori wāhine. I do not have any tamariki as of yet but i would love for my tamariki when that day comes to know our reo and not experience the same struggle that many of us share today. Te reo māori is a huge part of who we are and last but not least, i truly understand Kaua e whakamā i te reo māori. Ngā mihi.