My Nana said they used to get the cane everyday at school for speaking Mа̄ori. So she never taught us how to speak Mа̄ori, but I'm glad most of it stuck with my older sister. I grew up lost around my own whānau not knowing what they were saying. I still find myself getting lost when i'm on my Marae, but I'm happy I know more reo now than I did before. I learn for my whānau who couldn't speak in those days. I want to become fluent for those who had it beaten out of them.

I used to get shy for saying who my Nana was especially when I used to go to Hoani Waititi Marae, cause once someone found out who she was they'd start speaking Te Reo and I'd freeze. I felt like I was letting her down for not knowing my own reo.

I found an interview my Nan did and it fueled a part of me, and made me want to learn Te Reo Mа̄ori. Not just for Nan but for my future kids, my nieces and nephews who are fluent.

My Nana is an inspiration, to me and to many others.

For you Nan (Reitu Cassidy Robson)