Share your why

Louise - Tauranga

Posted by Louise O'Neill · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Kia ora.

Louise - Paraparaumu

Posted by Louise Clarke · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Being a teacher it's important to normalise the language.

Louise - Cambridge

Posted by Louise Sharp · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Te reo Maori was not something I was taught as a child, and I am not confident at all when using the language, so I want to have non judgmental encouragement, so I can gain confidence.

Lorraine - Opotiki

Posted by Lorraine Lawson-Barrett · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

For my children.

Loralei - Palmerston North

Posted by Lorelei Tuisafia · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I need to learn Te Reo as this is my tounge .

Lomi - Hastings

Posted by Lomi Schaumkel · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

This could be a defining moment for things Maori.

Liza - Kerikeri

Posted by Liza Mead · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To teach my kids reo .

Liz - Waikanae

Posted by Liz Lane · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To keep the language alive for future generations.

Liz - Tauranga

Posted by Liz Tristram · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

It is the language of our people, our nation.

Liz - Auckland

Posted by Liz Peretira · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To support authentic biculturalism in Aotearoa and strengthen my understanding of te reo.

Livi - Putaruru

Posted by Livi Afioga · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

for my kids.

Liv - Christchurch

Posted by Liv Morgan · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

It is part of our identity and respecting ourselves, our neighbour and our land.

Little Poppy’s - Auckland

Posted by Rachel Fowler · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Since becoming a kaiako and completing my degree.

Lissy - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Lissy Cole · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

We are a beautiful, resilient, strong people with so much to share with the world that is unique.

Lisa - Rolleston

Posted by Lisa Mazey · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Its important because we want to recognize that NZ is bicultural and it gives more mana to Te reo in our workplace.

Lisa - Otautahi

Posted by Lisa Mead · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Because Te Reo is the first language of Aotearoa and while only part of my whanau are Maori, I want to protect the language and join initiatives that do that.

Lisa - Dunedin Central

Posted by Lisa Brown · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To celebrate tikanga and te ao maori through more frequent use and better understanding of te reo.

Lisa - Christchurch

Posted by Lisa Phillips · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To keep Te Reo Maori alive.

Lisa - Christchurch

Posted by Lisa Mason · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

My tamariki are maori and I am a part time teacher.

Lisa - Auckland

Posted by Lisa Woods · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I would really love for all New Zealanders to be able to learn te reo Maori from early childhood it would give us an understanding of, connection to and respect for Maori culture no matter what our background.

Lisa - Auckland

Posted by Lisa Sundgren · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To promote the importance Of and the use of Te Ao Maori.

Linda - Nelson

Posted by Belinda Mackean · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I am a New Zealander with colonial ancestry from 1843 Totally identify as a kiwi and although I can’t change colonial history want to help Aotearoa move forward as a United bicultural nation understanding diversity and specifically the needs of Maori in our modern world.

Linda - Auckland

Posted by Nancy Dobrochowski Warburton · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

This supports my personal Te Reo journey.

Leslie - Taranaki

Posted by Leslie Hughes · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

To show my tamariki why it's important to grasp our native tongue and to cherish it.

Lesley - Kerikeri

Posted by Lesley Griffiths · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I would like to know more about the Maori culture and Ive wanted to learn te reo Maori As a way of doing that.

Leonie - Te Awamutu

Posted by Leonie Figure · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Married to a Maori and we try to make Te Reo a daily part of our lives.

Leisa - Christchurch

Posted by Leisa Aumua · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Ka reo o matau tupuna, mo matau moko puna, .

Leilani - Christchurch

Posted by Lanny Red · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I'm manuhiri.

LeeAnne - Christchurch

Posted by LeeAnne Fuller · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Because I'm part Maori and can't speak the language.

Leeana - Auckland

Posted by leeana kukutai · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Embrace our cultural identity within Aotearoa thst is uniquely ours.

Lee - Auckland

Posted by Emma-Lee Pera-Kingi · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Aotearoa is the only country in the world that speaks Te Reo Maori, if we don't keep it alive here, it dies.

Leanne - Whitianga

Posted by Leanne Petersen · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

to keep our reo alive is to honor our culture.

Leanne - Õtautahi

Posted by Leanne Whitteker · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Ko te reo te taikura ō te whakaaro marama.

Leanne - Auckland

Posted by Leanne Gibbons · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Te Reo is unique and is part of our culture here in NZ.

Leanne - Auckland

Posted by Leanne Castle · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Kia Ora, .

Lea - Waitakere Auckland

Posted by Lea Tolliday · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Kia ora, do I have to tell you, too much pressure, I just want to see Aotearoa become one.

Laura-Anne - Tāmaki Makaurau

Posted by Laura-Anne Wilson · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

It is important for me to take part to acknowledge the tangata whenua of the land that I call home.

Laura - Wellington

Posted by Laura Barnett · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Te reo is so important and needs to be bought back to life .

Laura - Otepoti

Posted by Laura Shepard · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Te reo Māori opens my eyes .

Lance - Tauranga

Posted by Lance Edwards · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Our kids were kohanga kids and now in rumaki reo.

Laila - Wellington

Posted by Laila Baghdad · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I think it's important for us to connect with Maori culture.

Lacy - Auckland

Posted by Lacy Hodgson · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

My ansestors fought to ensure we have the beautiful life we do today, the least I can do is take the time to learn about my whakapapa and speak the beautiful language.

Kym

Posted by Noa Tereu · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Its important that i learn the first language of our tipuna.

Kylie - Wellington

Posted by Kylie Reiri · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

So speaking Te reo Māori is part of every day life for my tāmariki.

Kylie - Auckland

Posted by Kylie Turner · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

For the two to be taked amongst the tamariki through pukapuka me waiata and getting tau iwi tamariki to learn about another culture and a important one of two to Aotearoa.

Kylee - Takaka

Posted by Kylee McGregor · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

Te Reo is our country’s heritage/culture and our point of difference.

Kulathorn - Havelock

Posted by Kulathorn Wongsara · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

14 September is my birthday and I feel like I am a part of Māori as well.

Krystyna - Napier

Posted by Krystyna McGehan · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

I believe all new Zealand children should learn the Reo it is a huge part of our culture.

Krys - Palmerston North

Posted by Krys Baker · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

As this is part of my culture and have wanted to o do this for a long time.

Kristina - Wellington

Posted by Kristina Perry · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

My great grandparents were the last of our whānau to speak Te Reo.

Kristijan - New Lynn

Posted by Kristijan Vidacic · September 14, 2020 2:51 PM

It is important for me because of my son.

Kristen - Mount Maunganui

Posted by Kristen Goodwin · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Te reo is an integral part of us, as New Zealanders.

Kristelle - Auckland

Posted by Kristelle Varney · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

He māori ahau!

Krista - Kirikiriroa

Posted by Krista Henare · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Kia mōhio ngā tauira, he Whare Wānanga reo Māori tēnei.

Korihi - Auckland

Posted by Korihi Patuwai · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

I reckon its an important kaupapa that everyone knows or at least understands the history of aotearoa, and that a good stsrting place for that is the reo.

Koren - Christchurch

Posted by Koren van Deurs-Scott · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

We live in NZ, and am proud to do so.

Korban - Ohakune

Posted by Tiere Walker · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Whakapapa 😍.

kiya - Waiheke island

Posted by kiya Nancarrow · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

i am a part of the land and culture.

Kirsty - Wellington

Posted by Kirsty Anderson · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

I want to support the flourishing of Te Reo Maori in Aotearoa so that it is seen by everybody as a normal part of all of our lives no matter what culture we come from.

Kirsty - Te Kuiti

Posted by Kirsty Boros · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Because I am a teacher and I really want to encourage my students and learn alongside them to celebrate and learn more about Te Reo.

Kirstie - Auckland

Posted by Kirstie Barton-O'Brien · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

My ancestors were some of the first settlers in nz.

Kirsten - Wellington

Posted by Kirsten Haupt · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

I do want to learning te reo maori to support increased usage, to understand what they are saying when people do their mihi or speeches in te reo.

Kirsten - Hamilton

Posted by Kirsten Petrie · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Māori is the first language of Aotearoa and therefore we all are responsible for contributing to its growth in use.

Kiri - Auckland

Posted by Kiri Bowen · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

.

Kiri - Auckland

Posted by Kiri Turketo · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

My culture is my identity.

Kimiora - Wairoa

Posted by Kimiora Hubbard · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

It’s about being committed to change - I’m not a tree so I can move, I just have to do it and Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori is a great time to accept the challenge to improve .

Kimiora - Melbourne

Posted by Kimiora Joyce · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Living away from home for such a long time (25yrs) I am finding as the years go by, the yearning to return gets stronger.

Kimberly - Eketāhuna

Posted by Kimberly Braddick · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

To learn the language, normalize it and to pass it on to my children and the community.

Kimberley - Nelson

Posted by Kimberley Watt · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

To get te reo going stronger for future generations.

Kimberley - Hamilton

Posted by Kimberley Jones · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

To bring awareness to the language.

Kimberley - Auckland

Posted by Kimberley Gray · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Because te reo maori is part of new zealands history and should be valued.

Kim - Whangarei

Posted by Kim Chevolleau · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Keeping our language alive and active and one aspect to keeping our culture alive and active.

Kim - Wellington

Posted by Kim Morgan · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Because personally I don't know enough but more importantly there is strength in numbers and I want to support this cause and knowledge building.

Kim - Wellington

Posted by Kim Young · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Because te reo Māori is part of being a New Zealander.

Kim - Taumarunui

Posted by Kim Jones · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Because I believe it is important that we acknowledge the importance of growing te reo Māori kupu for all New Zealand people and celebrate the beautiful language it is.

Kim - Nelson

Posted by Kim Robertson · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

To show respect to the tangata whenua of Aotearoa.

Kim - Christchurch

Posted by Kim Hunter · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Language is a huge part of a culture.

Kim - Auckland

Posted by Kim Diener · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

I am grateful to call Aotearoa my home and want to make sure I honour tangata whenua.

kihi - Rotorua

Posted by kihi tawhai · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Ko to tatou reo me ona tikanga te tuapapa o te oranga o te tangata, ki te whakamahi i te reo me ona tikanga koira te whakatinanatanga o te mana motuhake o tatou whanautanga, haputanga, iwitanga, Maoritanga, oranga tonutanga.