Share how you celebrated

Share what you did for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023. This will go on to become a showcase of how we celebrate te reo as a nation.

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Cathy

Cathy Ruka

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Cathy

Cathy has taken part in:

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#MyMihi - Waitangi day 2021
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Kia Ora. This is important for me because I love being Maori, even though I’m only half. My mother is Maori and my father is pakeha. Although growing up I was definitely more exposed to things Maori and not learning pakeha protocols. I have grown up knowing only Maori tikanga. I grew up in the far north Kaitaia. And Maori was a huge part of the teachings at my schools. I came to Auckland when I was 12 years old and it was a huge culture shock. Growing up in Kaitaia, as a kid I thought there were only Maori and pakeha people, brown and white. I soon learned that there are hundreds of nationalities. And those different nationalities all have their own languages which most of them still speak where sadly a lot of us Maori have to learn again our native tongue. So it is very important that we as a culture and as whanau encourage each other to bring Te reo Maori back to life. Kia Ora

Cathy

Tena koutou katoa. Ko Cathy Ruka toku ingoa. Ko June raua ko Pete toku Matua. Ko Mahuri Te marae. Ko Puhanga Tohora Te maunga. Ko Hokianga whakapaukarakia Te Moana. Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua Te waka. Ko Nukutawhiti Te rangatira. Ko Ngati Pakau Te hapu. Ko Ngapuhi nui tonu Te Iwi. Kia Ora.

Cathy

Kia Ora. Ko Cathy Ruka toku ingoa. It’s important to take part in this because I love being Maori. I am only half Maori, my mother is Maori and my father is pakeha. I grew up tikanga Maori, so I do not know what it means to be pakeha. Maori was always part of my school curriculum. I grew up and went to school in Kaitaia. I was in the kapa haka group at intermediate. I am 36 years old. Living in Auckland. I still am learning Te reo. I love watching Maori television. I love singing Maori waiata. Well that’s a bit about me. Kia Ora

Cathy

I am half Maori half pakeha but I identify more with my Maori Side.

Cathy
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