Share your why

Sara - Auckland

Posted by Sara Hanning · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

To better understand my culture as a New Zealander, and for my tamariki.

Sandy - Wellington

Posted by Sandy Roundill · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

At my school, we are working hard at developing our Māori language skills and I am in full support of that.

Sandy - Auckland

Posted by Sandy MacFarlan · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

He Taonga te reo Maori mo te whenua o Aotearoa.

Sandra - North Hokianga

Posted by Sandra van Dijk · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

to be part of the movement of connecting myself and my whanau to learn understand and Loreto tatou reo rangatira.

Sandra - Hamilton

Posted by Sandra Williams · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

To improve.

Samara - Pōneke

Posted by Samara Leah · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

It’s a part of who I am, te reo Māori.

Sam - Wellington

Posted by Sam Kodikara · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

I love t o learn Maori.

Sam - Rotorua

Posted by Sam White · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Te reo Māori is part of Aotearoa where my home is.

Sam - Raumati South

Posted by Sam Walker · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Te Reo is part of our history, culture and what makes part of Aotearoa.

Sam - Kapiti

Posted by Sam Dean · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Kei tahi Aotearoa I te ao!

Sam - Hamilton

Posted by Sam Woods · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

As a child, I grew up around Te Reo Maori.

sam - auckland

Posted by sam carpenter · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Because it is our national language and for too long it has been shoved to the side, much like the Maori people have been and I refuse to sit by and let such a beautiful language fall by the way side because of racist people.

Sally - Dunedin

Posted by Sally Shaw · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Make sure my students understand the importance of te reo and the Treaty in their world.

Sagun - Auckland

Posted by Sagun Khurana · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

I am a migrant in New Zealand - moved here from India in 2003.

Sadhana - Lower Hutt

Posted by Sadhana Lal · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

more self awareness and being respectful of other cultures.

Sacha - Wellington

Posted by Sacha Horton · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

I recall how I had a spiritual experience when traveling here as a tourist 20 years ago, I was laying on the earth and spread my arms out, hands touching the grass, tears welled up and I experienced a deep connection to the land.

Sacha - Dunedin

Posted by Sacha Harbott · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

because te reo should be thriving in Aotearoa and for our future generations it will!

Saar - Napier

Posted by Saar Lichtenberg Cloo · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

As a New Zealander I think te reo Māori is part of our culture, it feels only natural to try and learn the language!

s - tapawera

Posted by s fenemor · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

we are ALL PART OF NZ.

S - Auckland

Posted by Margaret Stanley · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

It is our native language.

Rynesh - Auckland

Posted by Rynesh Prasad · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Te Reo Maori is one of the three official languages of New Zealand.

Ruth - Auckland

Posted by Ruth Conder · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

I am proud to be a New Zealander and want to learn te reo of the tanga ta whenua.

Ruth - Auckland

Posted by Ruth Robertson · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

To keep the culture alive and honour our Tangata Whenua.

Ruth - Auckland

Posted by Ruth Jasmat · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

by learning any language, you get to understand how a people thinks, their history .

Russell - Christchurch

Posted by Russell Cairns · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Because it is everyone's responsibility to revive it after it was oppressed for so long.

Russell - Auckland

Posted by Russell Kereru · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

matua ben christie.

Russ - Auckland

Posted by Russ Pilkington-Flinn · September 14, 2020 7:32 PM

Joining in will make a difference.

Ruby - Whakatane

Posted by Ruby Turnwald · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Revitalising Te Reo Māori is key to maintaining our culture and it all starts with self.

Ruby - Tauranga

Posted by Ruby Lampp · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I love Te reo māori :) .

Ruby - Hamilton

Posted by Ruby Ruru · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I am who i am.

Ruby - Christchurch

Posted by Ruby Richards · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

To encourage others to use our native language.

Ruby - Auckland

Posted by Ruby Macomber · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

My whānau + understanding of myself as a NZer and indigenous person :).

Ruaridh - Christchurch

Posted by Ruaridh Davies · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

The language from my birth country is dying, I don't want the same to happen to the indigenous language of my adopted home.

Roxanne - Gisborne

Posted by Roxanne Johnstone · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Most of the students in our class are Maori and it is importnat for me and them to make Te Reo part of our everyday so they can feel confident, strong and connected.

Rowena - Kaitaia

Posted by Rowena Foster · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

So my mokopuna will have her language accepted!

Rosie - Tauranga Moana

Posted by Rosie Entwistle · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

To support the cause, to demonstrate that reo should be compulsory in educaiton.

Rosie - Levin

Posted by Rosie Reweti · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Upholding our national language is so important, its an awesome goal to participate in to encourage our nation Aotearoa to value, learn and use te reo as per Ti Tiri o Aotearoa.

Rosemary - Christchurch

Posted by Rosemary Goodyear · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I think it is really important for Aotearoa to embrance te reo Māori.

Rose - Whangarei

Posted by Rose Trebilcock · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I have a grand daughter who is attending a kohanga reo in Whangarei and I would like to share or be part of her learning.

Rose - New Plymouth

Posted by Rose Haskell · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Because this is yet another wonderful way of honouring my culture and my whakapapa and tikanga.

Rose - Auckland

Posted by Rose Woolford · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Because as a teacher and parent, the best way I can support te reo in NZ is to engage with it and learn it myself.

Rose - Auckland

Posted by Rose Kiria · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

As a new student teacher in Early Childhood Education, I believe I need to learn more in te reo Māori and its uniqueness to help me accommodate and understand more of the values and so that I can carry on teaching the simple plurals of te reo Māori.

Rose - Aongatete

Posted by Rose Hunter · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I have a few people in my family who are Maori and friends also.

Rosamund - Nelson

Posted by Rosamund Feeney · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

To show the community how Te Reo is a fun, vibrant language and that leanring it can be as easy as one word at a time.

Rosalie - Kāpiti

Posted by Rosalie Willis · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I love the language and believe it should be spoken more day-to-day.

Ropata - Whangarei

Posted by Rob Lang · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Because its a beautiful language to learn speak , understand and celebrate.

Room - Thornbury

Posted by Room Two · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Because te reo Maori is part of New Zealand Aotearoa.

Rongomaitawhiti - Palmerston North

Posted by Rongomaitawhiti Parata-Taiapa · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

He taonga te reo.

Rongomai - Papamoa

Posted by Rongomai Berryman · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

It is important because it is ME it’s who I am .

Rondase - Tokoroa

Posted by Rondase Edgecombe · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Self directed learning every day.

Ronda - Rotorua

Posted by Ronda Ogle · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Korero Maori ia ra, ia ra, Ako te reo Maori, ia ra, ia ra I runga nga kura.

Ronal - Auckland

Posted by Ronal Reddy · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

It is important to take part as we should be proud of Te Reo as an amazing and unique langauge.

Romilly - Whangamata

Posted by Romilly Brickell · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

The Maori people, their culture and language need to be part of “they are us”.

Roisin

Posted by roisin whelan · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

te reo māori is the unique language of the Tangata whenua.

Roimata - Porirua

Posted by Roimata Kemp-Hokianga · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

It's a part of who I am!

Robyn - Whanganui

Posted by Robyn Karena · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Ahakoa he iti he pounamu - No matter how small it is our most treasured.

Robyn - Palmerston North

Posted by Robyn Barnett · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

It is important for me to take part as my Grandmother was a native Te Reo speaker and my mother had this vital part of her heritage stripped away from her.

Roberta - Te Puke

Posted by Roberta Marsh · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

proud of my culture.

Robert - Auckland

Posted by Robert Blucher · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

We are a bicultural nation.

ripeka

Posted by Ripeka Smith · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Te Reo Māori is unique and does define us as NZ's including connecting us to home.

Rinaha - Wellington

Posted by Rinaha Bridge-Comer · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I am Maori and feel disappointed that I can’t speak the language of my ancestors.

Rima - Whanganui

Posted by Rima Ririnui · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I started my Reo journey back in August with Te Wananga o Raukawa online after putting it off for years.

Riley - Tikokino

Posted by Riley Walton · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I am only 9 years old.

Riki-Lee - Rotorua

Posted by Riki-Lee Ainsworth · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

My Koro was very prominent with in Te Arawa and he worked at the Maori Radio Station here in Rotorua.

Rik - Ootautahi

Posted by Rik Tindall · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

To be involved in a nationally important activity and use what te reo i know.

Riichard - Hamilton

Posted by Riichard Ferdinands · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Because I am proud to be a New Zealander.

Richie - Tāmaki Makaurau

Posted by Richie Waiwai · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Whakanuia ā ngāi tātou - te ahurea māori, tō tātou reo te tūākiri me kī.

Richard - Taranaki

Posted by Richard Hall · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

To be more a part of this amazing country and it’s culture and people.

Richard - Porirua

Posted by Richard Falkner · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Te reo maori opens up a whole side of my home to me.

Richard - Nelson

Posted by Richard Frizzell · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

I am passionate to learn and keep our unique language of Aotearoa alive and well.

Richard - Hamilton

Posted by Richard Bailey · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Waiata is fun and connects to every one.

Richard - Christchurch

Posted by Richard Hokianga · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Keen as to learn, relearn the Reo and be proud of who I am.

Richard - Auckland

Posted by Richard mohi · September 14, 2020 7:31 PM

Maori language week.

Riana - Coromandel

Posted by Riana Manuel · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

We are a small whānau owned Aged Residential Care facility whom over the last 34 years have been a home for many of our whānau Māori from within our Hāpori.

Rhema - Christchurch

Posted by Rhema N · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

As a woman of Maori descent, I believe that it is one of my greatest privileges in life to be a part of a culture so rich and powerful!

Rereahu - Martinborough

Posted by Rereahu Hetet · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Hei whakatakotoria the huarahi mō ā tātou nei tamariki, mokopuna.

Renee - Wellington

Posted by Renee Penny · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Our workplace finds it very important to embrace and encourage the opportunity to bring light to our heritage and special Maori culture.

Renee - Wellington

Posted by Irenee Patterson · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

It is important for all new zealalnders to embrace our culture and support this.

Renee - Auckland

Posted by Renee Erickson · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

To be involved - get more educated - to feel more apart of our culture.

Renae - Te Kauwhata, Waikato

Posted by Renae Hona · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Because it is important to keep our culture alive.

renae - auckland

Posted by renae tatarzycki · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Because its good to take part in my countries culture and at least try to learn things about it.

Reihana - Dunedin

Posted by Reihana Houkamau · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Because being a Māori who speak fluent te reo i truly believe by me speaking with everyone i am one of many people who are saving our language for generations.

Rebekah - Ōtautahi

Posted by Rebekah Allen · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

Te Reo Māori is so important and we need to treasure and preserve it.

Rebekah - Paraparumu

Posted by Rebekah Roos · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

To improve my everyday Te Reo skills.

Rebekah - Christchurch

Posted by Rebekah McCullough · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

I believe that we should all be proud of te reo Māori even if we cannot speak it.

Rebecca - wellington

Posted by Rebecca forde · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

To keep the language alive!

Rebecca - Wellington

Posted by Rebecca Mckenzie · September 14, 2020 7:30 PM

I want to take part as I am raising two boys who are Maori, I want us all to be on a journey of learning te reo and learning more about what it means to be Maori so that the boys can grow up proudly identifying with that side of their heritage.