Share your why

Keely - Auckland

Posted by Keely Leilua · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

I am a teacher and I have the opportunity to influence the minds of our tamariki.

Kazue - Auckland

Posted by Kazue Takeda · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

Languages are who we are.

Kayleen - Upper Hutt

Posted by Kayleen Grimstrup · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

It helps to keep Te reo alive in New Zealand, to pass down to our children.

Kayla - Perth

Posted by Kayla Nepe · September 14, 2020 2:50 PM

So that I am able to teach and pass down te reo to my son.

Kayla - Hawera

Posted by Kayla Paratene-Pokai · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Nā te mea e taea au te kōrero māori no reira me tautoko au I tēnei o ngā kaupapa.

Kaye - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Kaye Reihana · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Mo nga tupuna.

Kaye - Auckland

Posted by Kaye Avery · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Te Reo is a taonga that belongs only to Aotearoa.

Kay - Whanganui

Posted by Kay Benseman · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

He taonga te reo Māori.

Katy - Gisborne

Posted by Katy Nepia Nepia · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I'm Maori.

Katy - Auckland

Posted by Katy Hetherington · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

My 'why' is that Te Reo Māori is so intertwined in the culture of Aotearoa, but so many people still struggle to simply say the name of a town or place correctly!

Katrina - Christchurch

Posted by Katrina Boxall · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Because Te Reo is one of our three official languages.

Katie - Parma Heights

Posted by Katie Flanigan · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

The beautiful Te Reo that I helped preserve for future generations through our touring production at Taki Rua (theatre organization) was irreplaceable.

Kathy - Hamilton

Posted by Kathy Cant · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

For my children, grandchildren and the future generations to come.

Kathy - Christchurch

Posted by Kathy Bartlett · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

We want to take our first steps to normalising the use of te reo in our community centre and cafe.

Kathryn - Tokanui

Posted by Kathryn Voice-Templeton · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Te Reo us a beautiful language 😍 and I would love to learn more and be able to speak and understand when spoken to .

Kathryn - Opua

Posted by Kathryn Macfarlane · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I am a researcher in Applied Linguistics, specialising in language learning.

Kathleen - Wellington

Posted by Kathleen Leathem · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I just think it's good for my children and me to learn.

Kathleen - Thzmes

Posted by Kathleen Cox · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Ko Te Reo o o tātou tupuna he taonga mö a tātou mokopuna.

Kathleen - Hastings

Posted by Kathleen Bilton · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Because this is apart of where I come from.

Katherine - Palmerston North

Posted by Katherine Ward · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I value the importance of our national language and especially as an immigrant it is my responsibility to learn to use it.

Katherine - Auckland

Posted by Katherine Witchman · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

This reo is unique to Aotearoa, if we lose the reo we lose more than a language, it's the essence of te Ao Maori.

Kath - Christchurch

Posted by Kath Macdonald · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Speaking Te Reo helps to keep the language alive for future generations and is honouring to Maori people and our Maori communities.

Kate - Upper Hutt

Posted by Kate McNabb · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Te Reo is an important part of NZ culture and it's important to embrace and include it in our everyday lives.

Kate - Auckland

Posted by Kate Arnold · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Te Reo is unique to NZ, and because of that, it binds us together as a country.

Kataraina - Hamilton

Posted by Kataraina Rapana · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

This is a community I have been apart of since way back and I have a passion for health and well being which I believe te reo tuku iho can add to the value of our mahi as an individual and roopu.

Karleta - Auckland

Posted by Karleta Maria · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

As a Kaiako I want to improve my practice to confidently speak Maori alongside our Tamariki so I am enriching our tamariki cultural heritages of Aotearoa.

Karl - Auckland

Posted by Karl Miers · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Te reo Māori is one of New Zealand's national languages and we should all be a part of keeping this alive.

Karina - Whanganui

Posted by Karina McGregor · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I am proud of my Māori heritage.

Karenne - Hastings

Posted by Karenne Greville · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I am a teacher, most of my students are Maori and this week is a celebration of their ancestry and who they are.

Karena - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Karena Stephens-Wilson · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Korero ki a wai ma.

Karen - Wellington

Posted by Karen Atkinson · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Languages are precious living treasures - and must be valued and shared to be kept alive.

Karen - Waihopo

Posted by Karen Karaka · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Want to support compulsory te reo Maori in schools.

Karen - New Plymouth

Posted by Karen Walsh · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

For our people, for the past, present and future.

Kara - Kirikiriroa

Posted by Kara Ackerman · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I’m currently on a journey to learn Te Reo Maori and am trying to speak more in my home and workplace.

Kalpana - Auckland

Posted by Kalpana Nand · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Its important to learn and keep learning and teaching Te Reo to our tamriki so that we can all get better at speaking and learnng about it.

Kaingamaha - Pipiwai

Posted by Kaingamaha Cooper · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Because it is our heritage and I should start to engage in te reo.

Kahu - Chch

Posted by Kahu Carey · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Reo is important .

Justyce - Dunedin

Posted by Justyce Toeke · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I want to improve my reo and communicate better with my papa.

Julie - Porangahau

Posted by Julie Scandrett · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

We all need to do our best to learn te reo Māori as one of the key languages of Aotearoa.

Julie - Otautahi

Posted by Jp Patterson · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Because it is an important part of New Zealand culture and I want to use more te reo in my everyday.

Julie - Auckland

Posted by Julie Nolan · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna reo, ita -a - ita.

Julie - Auckland

Posted by Julie Lubich · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

It’s important for NZ as a whole .

Julianne - Christchurch

Posted by Julianne Munro · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I want to start pronouncing Maori words correctly and this is the starting time for that journey.

Julia Louise - Auckland

Posted by Julia Louise Tolentino Dutt · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Celebrating Te Reo as a foreign born Kiwi helps in recognising the importance of Maori in New Zealand.

Julia - Manukau

Posted by Julia Harkness · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I was sad to have students think I was a te reo Maori expert when I know and use a few phrases with my students.

Julia - Gisborne

Posted by Julia Seymour · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I am Maori and proud of it.

Judy - Central Hawkes Bay RD3

Posted by Judy Shepherd · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

To learn more Te Reo and increase my confidence in using it.

Judi - Auckland

Posted by Judi Jones · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

I am an immigrant and want to learn more about the culture & language that make up my adopted homeland.

Juanita - Whangarei

Posted by Juanita Craig · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

The concept for this year's wiki o te reo, inspires me a lot.

Juanita - Hamilton

Posted by Juanita Pritchard-Davis · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

Restoration.

Jp - Auckland

Posted by Jp Bolton · September 14, 2020 2:49 PM

It is the responsibility of all people of and from Aotearoa New Zealand to commit to the normalisation and use of te reo Māori.

Josie - Dunedin

Posted by Josie Croker · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Because I value the language and its culture.

Josie - Auckland

Posted by Josie Taylor · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

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

Joshua - Whanganui

Posted by Joshua O'Shea · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I am Māori.

Josh - Prince Rupert, BC, Canada

Posted by Josh Scarrow · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

If I can devote time to learning (admittedly bad) Spanish for two months in Mexico, I'm ashamed if I can't put effort into learning the language of my whenua for the past 30 years.

Josephine - Auckland

Posted by Josephine Fong · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Embracing and learning from new culture!

Joseph - Auckland

Posted by Joseph Niall · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

To keep the language alive.

joseph - Auckland

Posted by joseph rahiri · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I dont really know much about my culture or how to speak it so i want to get better and learn my language.

Jorden - Melbourne

Posted by Jorden Ashton · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Its important to me beamcause I don't want my children growing up with out some sort of te reo speaking in them I was neva taught at school.

Jordan Lee - Ayckland

Posted by Jordan lee McDermott ranapia · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Learning more about my culture helps me discover more about myself.

Jonno - Wellington

Posted by Jonno Woodford-Robinson · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

The more people who even at least try, means they are accepting and embracing tikanga of tangata Wenua.

Jonelle - Waitakere

Posted by Jonelle New · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

In 1972 30 000 marched to keep Te Reo alive and taught in our schools.

Jon - Hamilton

Posted by Jon Clarke · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I have an interest in developing Maori kaupapa throughout my organization (alongside several others) and initiatives like this support what we're trying to do here.

Johnny - Wellington

Posted by Johnny O'Hagan Brebner · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Because not knowing Te Reo prevents me from engaging with and helping others that I might need to.

John - Wellington

Posted by John Campbell · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I took Te Reo at high school 25 years ago.

John - Hamilton

Posted by John Hiakita · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Te Reo is a taonga and needs to be used ko ia ra ko ia ra.

JOhanne - Wellington

Posted by JOhanne Wicks · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

As a teacher it's a must, as a Kiwi (6 generations) it's important to recognise the first people and learn from them, as a human I find I enjoy and relate to lots of things in Te Ao Māori - it's a pleasure.

Joe - Rotorua

Posted by Joe Gallaher · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I believe we (as New Zealanders) should respect and honour the past, and embrace a connection to Maori.

Joe - Auckland

Posted by Joe Francis-Poole · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I want to reconnect with our beautiful culture.

Jodie - Ross

Posted by Jodie Linklater · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

It is important for our tamariki to learn and acknowledge our bicultural New Zealand.

Jodene - Lower Hutt

Posted by Jodene Fitness · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Seems only right to speak the language of the first people of this country.

Joanne - Waipawa

Posted by Joanne Treacher · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

To support nga iwi ki te korerorero te reo maori.

Joanna - Tāmaki-makau-rau

Posted by Joanna McPherson · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Tino ātaahua te kaupapa o tēnei wā .

Joanna - Auckland

Posted by Joanna Moreland · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

To embrace and learn the language Aotearoa.

Joan - Hokianga

Posted by Joan Daniels · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

To keep Te Reo alive.

Jo - Wellington

Posted by jo woods · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I would like everyone to be able to learn and speak te reo Māori including in schools and workplaces.

Jo - Takapau

Posted by Jo Heperi · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Te reo Māori needs to be everywhere all the time in NZ.

Jo - Northland

Posted by Jo van der Linden · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Vital that we keep the beautiful language not just "alive" but thriving.

Jo - Nelson

Posted by Jo Wigley · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

It's important to take part because it's a way we can all feel part of the same whole.

Jo - Motueka

Posted by Jo Bolton · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I want to become more aware and knowledgeable in this area.

Jo - Lower Hutt

Posted by Jo Hughes · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

Because we have a rich and exciting cultural mix in NZ and learning more about taha Maori will help Mauri ora to continue to grow and evolve.

Jo - Kaitaia

Posted by Jo Mane · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

kia whakakotahi ai nga mahi reo Maori - coordinated approaches across reo Maori initiatives.

Jo - Invercargill

Posted by Jo Folster · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I've just found out I have maori blood in my mix.

Jo - Greymouth

Posted by Jo Wood · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

to keep this amazing language alive and include our young tamariki on the pathway of knowledge and respect for langauage.

Jo - Dunedin

Posted by Jo Stanley · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

To keep the language alive and to support our Maori students.

Jo - Blenheim

Posted by Jo Vercoe · September 14, 2020 2:48 PM

I work in an ECE Service and I think it's important to use it with our tamariki and Educators; so the more they can hear us using it, it will become normal and the more we try to use it, the more people feel confident to use the language and keep it alive too.