Kia Ora,

I grew up in NZ but currently living in a tiny island off the coast of France.

I have no connections to Aotearoa here, but I intend to return home when my children are grown.

My whanau are in Aotearoa and I NEED to return.

I’m currently learning Swahili, as I have a group of African friends here, and I have noticed so many similarities to the Maori language.

Like the vowel sounds, for instance.

I know the basics we were taught at school, like colours, numbers, songs etc but I would love to be able to come home and be able to speak our native language with pride.