Ko Pūhanga Tohorā te Maunga

Ko Tāheke te Awa

Ko Hokianga te Moana

Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te Waka

Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi

Ko Ngāti Pākau te Hapū

Ko Tāheke te Marae

Ko Cassidy tōku whānau

Ko Ryan James tōku ingoa


I’ll probably be dead by then and I can’t imagine what life will be like in 50 years. I most definitely hope it’s nothing like now, but way better! Life is hard for some Turi Māori, but we have a lot of resilience. And me? I’ve always tried to live life with truth, honesty, care and - most of all - livin’ large. I’ve travelled, fallen in and out of love, done most things people only wish they could do. I’ve seen miracles, magic and tragedy. I am absolutely blessed and privileged.


But I didn’t grow up with te reo - not because no one around me spoke it, but because I am Deaf/Turi and they couldn’t find a way to pass it on. So I missed out on a lot. I’m like a bucket half full, but I truly believe in my heart that things will change within the next decade - where Turi Māori will have access to learn te reo in their own way and become fluent. It’s one of the keys to unlocking their true identity - their natural identity - alongside their Deaf identity.


Ehara i te mea ngāwari. Engari me ako tonu, ā ka tae atu koe.


If you’re my mokopuna or a new generation of Turi Māori - know this: I’m proud of you.



Always.