Share your why

Baylee - Rotorua

Posted by Baylee Jackson · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Because its important as a New Zealander to learn and connect to our history and surroundings.

Barbaletta - Hastings

Posted by Barbaletta Aranui · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I want to be able to draw strength from my heritage and culture as to who I am and where I come from.

Bal - Hamilton

Posted by Bal Devgun · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I love Aotearoa.

Awhina - Hawkes Bay

Posted by Awhi Mo · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I want to take part because It is time our generation (1990's) to take part and learn Te Reo Maori in everyday life.

Awhina - Christchurch

Posted by Awhina Heke · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

My why is to be able to speak the language of my ancestors and for my son to be able to as well so the language is able to live for future generations.

Austin - Auckland

Posted by Austin Povey · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

It is important to take part in this special moment as it is a huge part of New Zealand's Maori history.

Atawhai - Hamilton

Posted by Atawhai Ohutu · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

To encourage my mokopuna to learn Te Reo.

Ata - Sydney

Posted by Ata Kepa · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Personally to keep and strengthen the connection to home and our people where ever I am.

Astrid - Titirangi

Posted by Astrid Southon · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Te reo revitalisation.

Ashleigh - Northcote

Posted by Ashleigh Viliua · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

To learn more about my culture and celebrate my culture .

Ashleigh - Dunedin

Posted by Ashleigh Mudford · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I have Maori in my blood.

Ashleigh - Auckland

Posted by Ashleigh Kennedy · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Te reo is a rongoā!

Ascia - Auckland

Posted by Ascia Maybury · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

the more kiwi's that speak Te Reo Maori & understand Tīkanga māori the stronger we will be in Aotearoa .

Arthur - Auckland

Posted by Arthur Hokianga · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

To normalise Te Reo in my whanau on our marae in the community in Aotearoa.

Arron - Wellington

Posted by Arron Cox · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Want to learn the first language spoken in this motū and to help Aotearoa become bilinguial!

Arona - Auckland

Posted by Arona Taurima · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

It’s taken a long time for us māori to be treated fairly, people who don’t understand tend to push those things away, such as our culture which was left to the side for years, so it is very necessary to educate those who do not know or understand our traditions and culture so that all people are able to understand our actions and take part instead of pushing away due to lack of knowledge, then there are those who are just genuinely not interested or are prejudice towards māori, they will be respected for their decisions, if they are able to understand the way we feel about our loved culture, then they will then find the light they hadn’t previously seen, this task is not possible from one person, but is the task that we must do together as a community, its all about whanau.

Aroha - Wellington

Posted by Aroha Fraser · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Knowing where I come from and love the history of maori’s.

Aroha - Upper Hutt

Posted by Aroha Tanirau · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

It's important to me to be able to understand and korero te reo Maori because I live in NZ, I am Maori, and I have children who I want to understand and speak te reo also.

Armin - Auckland

Posted by Armin Morrison · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I value our Maori culture and heritage and want to show my respect by being able to speak te reo with my friends.

Ariel - Morrinsville

Posted by Ariel McCracken · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Part of my heritage as a Kiwi.

Ariana - Point Cook

Posted by Ariana Chase · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

This encourages me with seeing how many tangatawhenua out their and inspires me to learn more about Maori culture, traditions and reo.

April - Rangitukia

Posted by April Papuni · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Ko te reo Maori he taonga tuku iho ki a tatou, ngai Maori mai nga tipuna.

Anya - Wellington

Posted by Tanya Cook · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

We tautoko Māori as much as we can.

Antoni - whanganui

Posted by Antoni Manning · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Ko Aoraki te mountain.

Anthony - Taupo

Posted by Anthony Hemopo · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Because Te Reo Maori is important for me and my whānau.

Annemarie - wtg

Posted by Annemarie Jutel · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

he rawe te reo māori!

Anne - Upper Hutt

Posted by Suzanne Aoake · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

My family came to New Zealand from Scotland in the early 1800's before the Treaty of Waitangi, so we have been here a long time and yet, except for my primary school days in the 1970's, my Maori language education has been severely lacking.

Annabel - Wellington

Posted by Annabel Smith · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

To represent Te Reo in our school and our country.

anna - Wellington City Centre

Posted by anna Kyle · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Important to speak all national languages to engage with more people.

Anna - Lower Hutt

Posted by Anna Macdonald · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

To reconnect with my whakapapa and tīpuna.

Anna - Greymouth

Posted by Anna Henderson · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

It's important to me to take part because Te Reo is one of NZ's national languages, it is unique to Aotearoa and we should be proud of it.

Anna - Auckland

Posted by Anna Dokter · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Because i like Maori.

Ann - Christchurch

Posted by · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

He kaupapa tino hirahira tēnei - mōku (he wahine pākēhā), mo tōku whānau (he tangata Māori, no Awherika-Amerika, Airana, Kōtirana, Wēra, Kuki Airani hoki), mo ngā tangata katoa, me te whenua tino ataahua o Aotearoa nei.

Ann - Christchurch

Posted by Ann Huggett · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Te reo Māori is the first language of Aotearoa.

Ann - Auckland

Posted by Sueann Wichman-Yukich · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I love the language.

Anmar - Auckland

Posted by Anmar Taufeek · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

As part of living in NZ and proud Kiwi I would like to learn more about the Maori culture and language .

Anita - Tāmaki Makaurau

Posted by Anita Homewood · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Te reo Māori is the language of this land, and I believe it is vitally important to know the language of the land.

Anita - Richmond, Nelson

Posted by Anita Thompson · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Having heard recently that as a white woman Te Reo is not our right.

Anita - Bay Of Islands

Posted by Anita Palmer · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I feel its about time I have learnt our BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE , I always use to sit there and listen while my whanau spoke it and would wonder what they are saying .

Anita - Auckland

Posted by Anita Sharp · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

I am pākehā, but I have been blessed enough to grow up around Māori culture.

anil - Hamilton

Posted by Anil Singh · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Language is an important part of who we are as the people who have made our homes in NZ and it is important to embrace the language of taangata whenua.

Ani - Whangarei

Posted by Te-Arani Bennett · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

he reo rangatira mo tenei ao.

Angie - Tāmaki

Posted by Angie Peterson · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

bc of my irish heritage I know what it is like to lose your language and culture.

Angeline - Hastings

Posted by Angeline Tangiora · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

to continue learning .

Angelina - Auckland

Posted by Angelina Brayne · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

waiata.

Angelika - Wellington

Posted by Angelika Olsen · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

My family is racist, and I am trying to undo the damage that they caused by embracing Te Reo and the beautiful culture that it touches upon.

Angela - Wellington

Posted by Angela Geerts · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

It's about honouring ti tiriti and becoming a New Zealander.

Angela - Tauranga

Posted by Angela Couper · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

My why is to have a better connection to my whanau and whenua.

Annette - Rotorua

Posted by Annette Rotherham · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Te reo Maori is an amazing language, it belongs to all of us as a national language of our country, but it is a taonga of the tangata whenua and they gift it to the rest of Aotearoa.

Angela - Napier

Posted by Angela Toru · September 14, 2020 7:11 PM

Keeping te reo alive in aotearoa it is the first language and should be treasured!

Angela - Christchurch

Posted by Angela Tainui · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Kia Ora,.

Angela - Christchurch

Posted by Angela Visser · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I LOVE languages and feel it's important that none die out.

Andy - Diamond Harbour

Posted by Andy Barbati-Ross · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Celebrating diversity and culture .

Andy - Christchurch

Posted by Andy Poulsen · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Celebrating NZ's rich cultural heritage and deepening my knowledge of our indigenous language.

Andrew - Dunedin

Posted by Andrew Metcalfe · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Te Reo expresses who we are in Aotearoa-NZ, not just for a few but for all.

Andrew - Christchurch

Posted by Ānaru Weston · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Ko te reo Maori te reo tuatahi o tenei motu, he taonga hoki o te motu nei, he mea tino nui tenei mo tatou katoa o Aotearoa, ahakoa he Maori, he Pakeha.

Andrew - Auckland

Posted by Andrew Brown · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To learn about my homeland, not from the official government viewpoint but from the Native Kiwi viewpoint and to try and keep abreast of current affairs around NZ.

Andrew - Auckland

Posted by Andrew Jones · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I love being part of a team that supports and embraces the mana whenua.

Andrea - Nelson

Posted by Andrea Staufer · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I don't want Te Reo to be a lost language.

Andre - Palmerston North

Posted by Andre Hetariki · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I want to see te reo maori be bck where it should be - first language to maori, second comfortable language for as many New Zealanders as possible.

Anameka - Ōpōtiki

Posted by Cherilyn Paenga · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

He whakatauira ki aku tamariki i te hirahira o te reo Māori.

Anahila - Auckland

Posted by Anahila Kanongata'a-Siusuiki · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Kia ora.

Anahera - Tāmaki

Posted by Anahera Morehu · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Kia whakapakari ai tō tātou reo.

Anahera - Pukekohe

Posted by Kristin Gillies · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Because i really want to learn Te Reo Maori from the beginning to carry on our Whanau legacy and Tikanga of who we're and where we come from and learn about our Ancestors and carry on the Legacy of our Whanau etc .

Anahera - Hamilton

Posted by Anahera Teinakore-Curtis · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It’s important for me to take part because it shows my support not only for my language but my people;my tupuna.

Ana - Wellington

Posted by Ana Walburn · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I believe that we should all learn apart of Maori heritage as it is something that is extremely important, and ovr the years it is coming more significant again especially after it was supressed for so long .

Ana - Timaru

Posted by Ana Mcnab · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To learn and teach maori.

Ana - Kalgoorlie

Posted by Ana King · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Want to take part to link me back to my roots.

Ana - Dannevirke

Posted by Ana Paewai · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Nō tātou te Māori, mō tātou o te āo whānui kia rongo ki te reo rangatira ko te reo Māori i tēnei whenua o Aotearoa.

Ana - Auckland

Posted by · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To build more of my identity as an immigrant New Zealander.

Amy - Whitianga

Posted by Amy Hodge · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I believe it is very important that more people make the effort to learn and use our national language te reo Maori.

Amy - Kirikiriroa

Posted by Amy Halliday · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

As a teacher, I think it's vital to do my best to teach students about Māori history and te Reo.

amra - Katikati

Posted by amra wisler · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It's important to take part as me may need to maori languages in life while growing up.

Amr - Cairo, Egypt

Posted by Amr AbdAllah · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Planning to immigrate to New Zealand so I need that to learn its history.

Amelia - Wellington

Posted by Amelia B · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Because te reo is one of our natioanl languages .

Amelia - Los Angeles

Posted by Amelia Butler · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Because we are learning Māori abroad.

Amelia - Belfast 8051

Posted by Amelia Bonham · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It is important for me to learm morw about my culture and heritage!

Amber - Auckland

Posted by Amber Morton · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I see embracing Te Reo and Te Ao Maori as the way forward for New Zealand- in terms of identify, reducing inequity and enhancing pride.

Amanda - Wellington

Posted by Amanda Bell · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Pro equity we are all connected to Aotearoa therefore we should be participating in tikanga, korero and advocacy / education.

Amanda - Tuakau

Posted by Amanda Caldwell · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Kia Ora.

Amanda - Titirangi

Posted by Amanda Everitt · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

New Zealand Sign Language is NZ's second official language alongside Maori.

Amanda - Dunedin

Posted by Amanda Slade · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It is our national language and apart of the New Zealand Culture.

Amanda - Christchurch

Posted by Amanda Cook · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

Te reo is a beautiful language and our language in Aotearoa.

Amanda - Auckland

Posted by Amanda Taylor · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To honour the treaty of Waitangi, to tautoko my akonga by using te reo in my ako.

Amanda - Auckland

Posted by Amanda Taylor · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To honor the bi-cultural partnership of Aotearoa, to tautoko my Māori ākonga, to be a good role model to others.

Amal - Wellington

Posted by Amal Alsheemy · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I love to learn about different cultures.

Alyssa - Wellington

Posted by Alyssa Kidd · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

I am new to NZ and as an Australian I see the value in keeping native languages alive before they die out!

Alyson - Napier

Posted by Alyson Bullock · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

To ensure the survival of the language within my own whanau.

Allie - Christchurch

Posted by Allie Coyle · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It is important for Te Maunga to be part of the Māori Language Moment as we are actively working to incorporate more Te Reo into our day to day lives and school work.

Alley - Gisborne

Posted by Alley Teepa · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

ko te mana o tō tatou Reo.

Alistair - Hamilton

Posted by Alistair Carter · September 14, 2020 7:10 PM

It is important to me as I work in an environment that if I spoke even a few words in Maori it will help me be more understanding and the people I work with would appreciate the effort I am putting in to understand them more.