Ngā mihi nui koutou, It's my birth right to speak the language of my ancestors. My Aunty Hana TeHemara carried 30, 000+ signatures up the steps of Parliament 39 years ago to have Te Reo Māori in schools. She, my mother and her siblings were strapped for speaking Māori at school and my mother made a conscious decision not to teach us. I did a total emersion course 20+ years ago but haven't had the opportunity to use te reo Māori in my mahi. I am continuing my hikoi ki te ako te reo Māori as is my son Apera Woodfine. (who incidentally is launching an EP in Te Reo Māori 25th June 2021 - keep an eye out for it, it's great and I hope it reaches main stream radio) Ko taku hiahia au ki te kōrero Māori i ngā wā katoa. ) My desire is to kōrero Māori all the time and especially in my job. Joining this kaupapa is important to me and together we are stronger.