Through learning te reo I have been brought closer to Māori people and their tikanga. I have a greater understanding and empathy for how Māori lead their lives and how history has impacted on them and this has quickly dispelled any predjudices I may have had instilled into me in my past. I hold fast to this whakataukī: 'Ko te reo te taikura ki te whakaao marama'.
I feel honoured to be able to speak te reo Māori but only wish I had greater opportunity to do so to enable me to be fluent and more importantly to ensure the language survives into the future, so any chance I have to use it I will take it!
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