My mother was from the generation who were strapped at school for speaking Maori so we were admonished from speaking any Maori learned from school at home. My mum has passed on now. As an older Maori woman I want to honour her by learning her native language. I have been trying for 4 years now, mostly on-line. I am the bridge that connects my children to my mother and grandfather. It's time now. . . I only wish my Mum was alive to see that it's OK now to be Maori and we don't have to be ashamed anymore.