Share your why

Eden - Tauranga

Posted by Eden Cowley · September 14, 2020 7:16 PM

It is important because it is the language of Aotearoa.

Edelrose - Montréal

Posted by Edelrose Agbayani · September 14, 2020 7:16 PM

As a Canadian that migrated to Aotearoa in 2013, I took part in a journey that integrated te ao Māori and from there was inspired to integrate it in my personal life and responsiveness for the way I worked.

Ed - Gisborne

Posted by Ed Hindmarsh · September 14, 2020 7:16 PM

To acknowledge, show understanding of and continue to implement Tikanga in a real way.

E - wellington

Posted by Pete Jacobson · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I don't want the language to die

Dylan - aukland

Posted by Dylan Mandow · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

i am am te reo maori and i want to bring the language to life so everone knows what it is .

Dylan - Auckland

Posted by Dylan Fenton-Panui · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

To keep Te Reo alive.

Duncan - Tauranga

Posted by Duncan W · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Because te reo Maori is important to New Zealand.

Duane - Dunedin

Posted by Duane Calvert · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Big picture: I support the renaissance of te reo Māori as a form of redress and respecting Māori as tāngata whenua.

Dredyn - Auckland

Posted by Dredyn Powhare - Pairama · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Because I want to learn more about my culture.

Dorita - Gympie

Posted by Dorita Booth · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

My boyfriend is Māori.

Doris - Auckland

Posted by Doris de Pont · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I support the kaupapa of Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori and am encouraging myself to start on this learning journey.

Donna - Tāmaki Makaurau

Posted by Donna Leckie · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Te reo has a crucial role to play in Aotearoa New Zealand's identity.

Donna - Nelson

Posted by Donna Smith · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

It is important to acknowledge the diversity that exists in Aotearoa.

Donna - Matamata

Posted by Donna Leaf · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Im proud to be Maori and want to show that to my collegaues.

Donna - Hamilton

Posted by Donna Alker · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

To be a participant in a worthy endeavour that facilitates a survival strategy for continual use of Te Reo as an everyday language in Aoateroa .

Donna - Auckland

Posted by Donna Wilson · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

It is Important to me to incorporate Te Reo Maori in my everyday life conversations, because it is everyday part of Our lil family, Our Mokos are surrounded by Te Reo Maori and it is my choice to participate as best I can.

Donna-Lee - Manukau

Posted by Donna Lee Connor · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I had just explained in the last patai but will explain again.

Don - Peel Forest

Posted by Don Murray · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

From my early adult years I've valued the bicultural principles that have were agreed as the cultural basis of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Dominique - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Dominique Pritchard · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Te Reo is such an important part of Aotearoa's past, present and future.

Dominic - Christchurch

Posted by Dominic Lallemant · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I love the Maori culture and it is part of my wife's family heritage and therefore part of me too.

Django - Auckland

Posted by Django Ramirez · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Its Maori language week.

Divya - Auckland

Posted by Divya Chand · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I work with children and I believe the children should know and recognise the National language of this country.

Dione - Wellington

Posted by Dione King · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Acknowledging my tipuna & keeping our very essence alive.

Dinesh - Lower Hutt

Posted by Dinesh Govind · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

It is a privilege and pride to be a Maori speaking Kiwi!

Dianne - Dunedin

Posted by Dianne Smeehuyzen · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Maori is party of our countries heritage.

Diane - Torbay

Posted by Di Edgoose · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Because it is one of New Zealand's national languages and we cannot afford to loose how precious it is to New Zealand.

Diane - Gisborne

Posted by Diane Hunter · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

My generation missed out on learning te reo Maori as it was not valued at the time, therefore it's important to promote and encourage te reo as an everyday language in Aotearoa.

Diana - Palmerston North

Posted by Diana Kessler · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

New Zealand, Aotearoa, it is so important we know our roots, where we started, our Maori is SO important to the vitality and who New Zealand is.

Diana - Gisborne

Posted by Diana Neru · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I'm tgaking part beacaue Te Reo Rangatira is the cheifly language.

Deva - Auckland

Posted by Deva Britow · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

My heritage is the Khoekhoe (or San, Khoisan) - the indigenous peoples of South Africa.

Desiree - Auckland

Posted by Desiree McCracken · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I have just completed level 3 Te Reo and want to share this with others.

Dennis - Poneke

Posted by Dennis Ngawhare · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Whakanuia te reo!

Dennis - Auckland

Posted by Dennis Cootes · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Our language is one of the ways we pass down Cultural stories and Māori myths to our younger generations.

Denise - Wellington

Posted by Denise Stephens · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Te Reo is part of our nation's heritage.

Denise - Porirua

Posted by Denise Taylor · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I am a New Zealander and believe we should be a trilingual country (Reo, Signing and English).

Denise - Hamilton

Posted by Denise Te Wake · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Ko te reo kia rere.

Denise - Dunedin

Posted by Denise McGinley · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

As I have grown older I have slowly grown in understanding of the awfil damage done to Tangata Whenua through loss and disrespect of Te Reo.

Denise - Auckland

Posted by Denise Roche · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I want all New Zealanders to learn and hear te reo Māori spoken everywhere.

Dellwyn - Ashburton

Posted by Dellwyn Moylan · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I recognise we are a bicultural nation and so want to try to embrace some of the Maori culture.

della - kaipara

Posted by della welch · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

to better understand the commonly used terms.

Delia - Christchurch

Posted by Delia Talili · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I want to do my bit towards the country's goal of revitalising the language.

Deirdre - Hamilton

Posted by Deirdre Grant · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

I would like te reo Maori to be spoken more by us all in everyday life.

Debbie - Takaka

Posted by Debbie Ryan · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

We are a multi cultural country and te Reo is one of our official languages.

Debbie - Palmerston

Posted by Debbie Nicholls · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

We are forever on our learning journey with Te Reo Maori and tikanga practices within our early childhood environment.

Debbie - Opotiki

Posted by Debbie McKillop · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

being a non fluent speaker makes me feel like I have lost something, some expressions in te reo Maori sum up ideas way better than the words in English, they explain the maori perspective as well, the link between the way the words have more than one meaning is something non maori speakers don't get, .

Debbie - Feilding

Posted by Debbie Fulton · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

To support te reo Maori as a unique NZ language important in retaining Maori culture.

Debbie - Epsom

Posted by Debbie Watson · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

We are learning about community and the NZ culture of Maori is part of our community.

Debbie - Bendigo Australia

Posted by Debbie Gavin · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

Language is a connection to home and a sign of respect to culture .

Deb - Normanby

Posted by Deb Rewi · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

As a teacher, the urgency of engagement with Te Reo Māori is one tool at our disposal to support Māori learners to achieve success in the context of being Māori.

Deana - Auckland

Posted by Deana Haurki · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

To normalise Te Reo Māori and showcase to others across the world, what a beautiful culture and language we have as Māori.

Dawson Falls - Kaponga

Posted by Dawson Falls Mountain Lodge · September 14, 2020 7:15 PM

We want to acknowledge how important and special te reo maori is .

David - Taupo

Posted by David Jensen · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

For the tamariki I look after.

David - Hamilton

Posted by David Nicholls · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Te Reo is part of New Zealand's heretige and should be spoken by all.

David - Christchurch

Posted by David Paterson · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I think it is vital for NZ to have a strong Maori culture and for Maori people to be positively represented in all parts of society.

David - Auckland

Posted by David Sutcliffe · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

158 years ago a boat load of my ancestors arrived in NZ from the UK.

David - Auckland

Posted by David Sinclair · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

To learn and parctice te reo is fundamental in my role as a student kaiako and as a New Zealander.

David - Auckland

Posted by David Taylor · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Maori is the indigenous language of Aotearoa.

Dave - Wellington

Posted by Dave Kennedy · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Identity.

Dave - Timaru

Posted by Dave Moore · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I have started learning te reo.

Dave - Te Awamutu

Posted by Dave Ngatae · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Whakawahanaungatanga.

Daryn - Inglewood

Posted by Daryn Short · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Why am I going to join with others today to speak te reo Maori? Because I agree to supporting and encouraging the heart language of this land to grow and flourish.

Darryl - Uawa

Posted by Darryl Crawford · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

mo te whanau.

Darren - Tāmaki Makaurau

Posted by Darren Young · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Te reo Māori is the language of Aotearoa.

Darlene - Whangarei

Posted by Darlene Wyles · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

To lead my example.

Daphne - Kaingaroa Forest

Posted by Daphne Witoko · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I want to learn for myself.

Danika - Mount Maunganui

Posted by Danika Ciullo · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I work with the Red Cross and volunteer with UNA NZ and we incorporate te reo in both places.

Danielle - Wellington

Posted by Danielle Campbell · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

My grand parents were among the kaumatua that presented the petition to parliament to recognise and revitalise Te Reo.

Danielle - Auckland

Posted by Danielle Bailey · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

To be a role model to my 4 month old, who I intend to teach te reo māori as it is part of his heritage through his Dads side.

Daniel - Auckland

Posted by Daniel Metcalf · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I think Te Reo is beautiful.

Dani - Lower Hutt

Posted by Dani Hennessy · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

It's about honouring the language and custom of the people of Aotearoa.

Danelle - Auckland

Posted by Danelle Kruger · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I want to learn more about the indigenous culture and language of Aotearoa.

Dan - Christchurch

Posted by Dan Stewart · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I think it’s important to respect and appreciate the cultural background of the country we were born in.

Damon - Christchurch

Posted by Damon Lockwood · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

As a new resident of this beautiful country, I feel it is important to know as much about the integrated Kiwi culture as possible.

Daisy - Auckland

Posted by daisy thorpe · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Participanting cements my reo journey.

Dain - Otepoti

Posted by · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Maaori is a beautiful language, and it should be spoken everywhere in NZ.

Craig - Wellington

Posted by Craig Hutson · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I've been learning on and off for 20 years and Te wiki o the reo Māori provides a much needed boost to keep going.

Craig - Lower Hutt

Posted by Craig McKirdy · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

My father in law grew up in the time when speaking Te Reo was actively discouraged.

Craig - Auckland

Posted by Craig Armstrong · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I want to great and converse (basic level) with people in their preferred language.

Courtney - Rangiora

Posted by Courtney Fisher · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I think it is important to embrace Aotearoa and our unique culture, by doing our part and learning te reo maori.

Corrine - Kaitaia

Posted by Corrine Chapman · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I wish Te Reo was taught / used a lot more when I was at school and think I would have been more confident speaking it.

Corinne - Dunedin

Posted by Corinne Guthrie · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

To participate in our celebration of a great country, which celebrates our tangata whenua.

Corinne - Auckland

Posted by Corinne Cameron · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

To be proud of our nations language.

Connie - Auckland

Posted by Connie McArdle · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Its important part of being in Aoteaora.

Colleen - Cambridge

Posted by Colleen Bassett · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

Te reo Maori is one of our official languages.

Colleen - Auckland

Posted by Colleen Brown · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

I can't speak Maaori.

Clementine - Auckland

Posted by Clementine Ludlow · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

It is part of our heritage and our culture - our mana.

Clarissa - Auckland

Posted by Clarissa Hirst · September 14, 2020 7:14 PM

As a travel writer and avid hiker, I believe it's important I respect and understand the history of the places I'm travelling through and the land I'm walking on.