Share your why

Kelsey - katy

Posted by Kelsey Schnell · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I would like to move to New Zealand and become part of the community.

Kaylene - Blenheim

Posted by Kaylene Herriott · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

So I can help my grandchildren .

Kauri - Uawa

Posted by Kauri Tangohau · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Kia whiua ki te ao, ki nga iwi katoa .

kathy - Northland

Posted by kathy Troost · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I think it's an important part of being a New Zealand that we have a good grasp of Te Reo and that I feel confident to teach it in a classroom and ECE centre.

Katarina - Whakatane

Posted by Katarina Wildermoth · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I am a wahine Māori, who grew up without knowing how to speak Te Reo Māori.

Kat - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Kathryn Wells · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

To strengthen and normalise the reo spoken at my kura

Karmin - Whanganui

Posted by Karmin Erueti · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Learning Te Reo deserves the recognition and respect to ensure it becomes the norm in my son and mokopuna lives.

Jude - Wanaka

Posted by Jude George · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

We want to celebrate our Bicultural partnership and heritage .

Josie - Auckland

Posted by Josie Taylor · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Because my school is doing ut and I wouod like to contribute to the schools moments!

Jimmi - Auckland

Posted by Jimmi O'Toole · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Because te reo Māori is the way we can create equality and what makes us unique as Kiwis.

Jessie - Christchurch

Posted by Jessie Robinson · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Learning about history and culture is important.

Jeremy - Auckland

Posted by Jeremy Smith · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Recognising our taonga that is te reo Māori.

Jack - Tauranga

Posted by Kristin Gillies · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I want to be able to speak fluent Te Reo so I can connect to my culture.

Ielyaas - Auckland

Posted by Ielyaas Cloete · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

To make te reo Māori commonplace and make Aotearoa a truly bilingual country.

Huia - Hamilton

Posted by Ngahuia Herangi · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I am proud to be Māori and believe that our language is beautiful.

Holly - Auckland

Posted by Holly Roach · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Tena Koutou.

Henare - Whangarei

Posted by Henry Beattie · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I am Maori, and sharing my reo has always been paramount.

Helena - Napier

Posted by Helena Laugesen · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

To revitalise the indegenous language of New Zealand.

Helen - Melbourne Australia

Posted by Helen Kelly · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

My Dad & Mum always encouraged me to learn more about our Maori culture, food, land and whakapapa.

Helen - Christchurch

Posted by Helen Shand · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

because Te Reo is our national language and I know very little Te Reo.

helen - christchurch

Posted by helen Singleton · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

it is a huge part of the country I live in.

Heather - South Head

Posted by Heather Worsley · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I have recently been blessed with a great-grandson.

Hannah - Auckland

Posted by Hannah Lee · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

To reconnect with my tūpuna and to be a better future health care professional for my Māori patients - so we can have better rapport and I am able to better earn their trust so I can help provide better health outcomes for them and reduce inequities they face.

Gary - Poipiripi

Posted by Gary Harding · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Na aku Tipuna i takoha mai tenei taonga ki wau, na reira kia tika ana kia tukuna atu awau ki oku uri whakatipu hei taonga mapihi maurea ma ratou, ara ma tatou katoa.

Gabriella

Posted by Gabriella hemsley · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I'm a hungarian woman and I'd like to move to New Zealand.

Florence - Auckland

Posted by Florence Hinder · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

To help make New Zealand a more equitable society, so that everyone can have the opportunity to thrive.

Fiona - Ohope BEACH

Posted by Fiona Burns · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

The language is beautiful and understanding each kupu enables a better understanding of living in Aotearoa.

Ethan - Hamilton

Posted by Ethan Cathcart · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Because I believe Māori should be taught as a second language to everyone in school (made compulsory to learn).

Erin - Christchurch

Posted by Erin Hammond · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

It was beautiful to share the waiata with our choir in a way that help to promote Te Reo.

Eric - Auckland

Posted by Eric Cao · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

It's very important to be connected with our local communities and culture.

Emma - Wellington

Posted by Emma Jane · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Any language is a treasure.

Emma - Taupo

Posted by Emma Kunac · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I'm a new zealander.

Emma - London

Posted by Emma Banham · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I am a Pakeha, but I would like to learn Maori as it is an important part of Aotearoa's culture, history and future.

Emily - Christchurch

Posted by Emily Stankaitis · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Decolonisation is critical for healing.

Ella Rose - Auckland

Posted by Ella Bilham · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Elin - Auckland

Posted by Elin Termannsen · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Because it’s a shame and shameful not to take part ❤️.

Elaine - Picton

Posted by Elaine Bowden · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

I am originally from Ireland and have lived in Aotearoa for 16 years, I love the Te Reo Maori language and have been learning it for a year now.

Emmeline - Hamilton

Posted by Emmeline Sunnex · September 15, 2020 12:49 PM

Kia ora whānau!

Eddie - Ipswich

Posted by Eddie Wikotu · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I understand and can korero some but need more interaction with fluent speakers of Te reo Maori.

Donnell - Palmerston North

Posted by Donnell Martin · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Being maori is a privilege, and not knowing how to speak te reo maori breaks my heart,its important to me to learn te reo maori as im sure it will complete me in my te ao maori.

Dianne - Pokeno

Posted by Dianne CowleySmith · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I love so much about our indigenous culture and wairua and am enriched by everything I learn about it.

Di - Keysborough

Posted by Di Mau · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I live in Melbourne, Australia and I have Kiwi/Maori students at my school.

Desiré - Wellington

Posted by Desire' Morris · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Because of my whãnau, I want them to be more culturally immersed .

Derek - Toowong

Posted by Derek Phillips · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I would like to be able to learn te reo maori, so that I can pass it on to my grown up children, who were all born here in Australia, hoping that they will pass it on to their children.

Debbie

Posted by · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Acknowledge our whakapapa.

Dana - Gore

Posted by Dana Turnbull · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Our beautiful bi-cultural nation of Aotearoa needs to embrace and support the growth and development of Te Reo Māori.

Crystal - Upper Hutt

Posted by Crystal Jones · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I want Te Reo to be organic and typical in all kiwi lifestyles.

Crawford - Rapahoe

Posted by Crawford Morris · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

To spread the awareness of te reo as a means to know your identify .

Clare - London (UK)

Posted by Clare Buchanan · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

It's part of New Zealand's culture and its important we embrace that and honour it.

Christopher - Wellington

Posted by Christopher Gregory · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I live in this country and it would be a shame (on me) if I could not even speak a few words of Maori and understood the history of this country.

Christin "Chris" - Honolulu, HI

Posted by Christin "Chris" Walsh · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Language is the root of every culture.

Cheryl - Waipawa

Posted by Cheryl Paul · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM · 1 reaction

Our unique indigenous language should be an integral part of being a kiwi.

Chelsea - Hamilton

Posted by Kristin Gillies · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I'm a beginner learner and loved studying Te Ara Reo Māori last year and wanted to continue to improve my reo.

Charlotte - Christchurch

Posted by Charlotte Western · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Because I live in Aotearoa.

Caterina - Edgecumbe

Posted by Caterina Murphy · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Because Aotearoa is the only country that acts as the repository for te reo Maori.

Carrie - Christchurch

Posted by Carrie Sunderland · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Because I love the Māori language and I would love to learn more and be a part of teaching more kiwis to speak our native language!

Carl - Gold Coast Australia

Posted by Carl Henderson · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

he tangata māori ahau o Aotearoa.

Candice - Okotoks

Posted by Candice Jenkins · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I live in Canada, makes me feel closer to my culture and tupuna.

Bryn - Queenstown

Posted by Bryn Thomas · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

My children are Maori and my wife is fluent in Te Reo, I need to catch up.

Awaroa - Auckland

Posted by Awaroa Rapana · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

To promote Te reo Māori to keep it alive for many generations.

Anna - Auckland

Posted by Anna Ewins · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Because I want to be more confident in using Te Reo every day.

Ann - Västerås SWEDEN

Posted by Ann Henriksson · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I want to join jag n and have fun.

Andrew - Auckland

Posted by Andrew Siew · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I am fascinated with the culture and the importance of te reo Māori.

Ana - Rotorua

Posted by Tatiana Tango · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I am Maori.

Amy - New Plymouth

Posted by Amy Blinkhorne · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

To help me have structure to help me start my Te Reo journey.

Alexandra - York

Posted by Alexandra Kingston-Reese · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I’ve always wanted to learn Māori—it is a beautiful language and connects me to the whenua, even living in the northern hemisphere.

Alexandra - Auckland

Posted by Alexandra Watkins · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

So I can learn more about my heritage and learn how to speak Maori .

Alexa - Queenstown

Posted by Alexa Forbes · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

Te reo māori is important to me as a pākehā who is committed to the treaty.

Alesha - Pahiatua

Posted by Alesha Talbot-Maarhuis · September 15, 2020 12:48 PM

I believe te reo is important, and I want to show my support of this.

Alan - Blenheim

Posted by Alan Wadsworth · September 15, 2020 12:46 PM

I wish to understand what is being spoken and written.

Zoe - Motu

Posted by Zoe Newman · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

to be one and a 1000,000.

Zaric - Hamilton

Posted by Zaric Rameka · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Because I care for my culture it takes a big part of my life and heart.

Zap - Kāpiti

Posted by Zap Haenga · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Coz I want to.

Zandria - Gisborne

Posted by Zandria Taare · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

I'm not a fluent speaker, but I try every day to use what Māori I have ia ra, ia ra.

Zak - Auckland

Posted by Zak Martin · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Maori is apart of me, it’s who I am and therefore understanding more of who I am is important for me not only now in the present but also for the future me too.

Zahra - Glenfield

Posted by Zahra Shahtahmasebi · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Celebrating te Reo Māori is a priority for me, to help recognise the rich culture and heritage we have here in New Zealand and so we can be proud of our national language.

Z - Wellington

Posted by · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Being disconnected from whakaapapa and culture, It's important for me to push myself to reconnect, restore and reclaim my Maori heritage so that my children and future generations won't need to go searching.

Yvonne - Shannon

Posted by Yvonne Te Peeti · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

Whuia te reo.

Ysatis - Hamilton

Posted by Ysatis Leafa · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

I grew up in kohanga and kura kaupapa then when I was 8 years old I was transferred to a pakeha school to learn English.

Yifang - Christchurch

Posted by Yifang Parker · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

It is important as I would like to embrace the culture we have in NZ.

Xinyi - Christchurch

Posted by Xinyi Wang · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

I wanna know maori causal language.

Willow - Wellington

Posted by Willow Grace-Morton · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

It's important to me on a personal level as well as a professional level.

Willie - Auckland

Posted by Willie Iosia · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

The reason why I took part is that I believe that Te Reo Maori is NZ 's national language and we as New Zealanders should be proud to keep it alive!

William - Lower Hutt

Posted by William Littlejohn · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

I grew up around a lot of Maori but never really had the opportunity to learn even though I was interested.

Whaia - Wellington

Posted by Whaia Caton · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

It is important for me to take part because I am part maori and I use to be able to speak te reo when I went to kohanga.

Wendy - Whanganui

Posted by Wendy MacMillan · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

To improve my understanding of te reo and hopefully be confident to use the language on a daily basis.

Wendy - Rotorua

Posted by Wendy Pembleton · September 14, 2020 7:37 PM

New Zealand is my home now (since Oct 2000) and I feel closer to the land and to the people when I make the effort to speak te reo.

Wendy - Manukau

Posted by Wendy Hansen · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

Maori is a shared main language of Aotearoa along with sign language and English.

Wendy - kawakawa

Posted by Wendy Henwood · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

Because the Maori language is part of our history and culture.

Wendy - Hastings

Posted by Wendy Rapaea · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

I would like to be part of the journey, and learn more.

Wendy - Christchurch

Posted by Wendy Clarke · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

Te Reo is sadly missing in the workplace.

Wayne - Cambridge

Posted by Roto-o-Rangi School · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

I want children to be excited about speaking the unique language of te reo Maaori and this is just one way to celebrate our learning of it.

Wayne - Auckland

Posted by Wayne Tukiri · September 14, 2020 7:36 PM

As someone proud of my Māori whakapapa but not a fluent speaker of te reo (a regret I hope to rectify one day) I think it is great to celebrate te reo in this way.