Share your why

Harper - Upper hutt

Posted by Harper Lambert · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Part of my culture and my school.

Hariata - Newtown, Wellington

Posted by Hariata Hema · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Kia takaro.

Hannah - Nelson

Posted by Hannah Young · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Because it is so important for not only māori to learn te reo in order for it to become as normal as English in NZ as it should be.

Hannah - Invercargill

Posted by Hannah Price · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Te reo maori should be used more by more everyday.

Hannah - Christchurch

Posted by Hannah Cook · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

As a kaiako at a high school with a large Māori roll it is essential to acknowledge those ākonga because of the bicultural foundation of Aotearoa.

Hana - Auckland

Posted by Hana Wakefield · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Participating in what's unique about this land .

Haley - Rotorua

Posted by Haley Hodge · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Important for our akonga to use Te Reo in their everyday world and feel comfortable doing so.

Haley - Opotiki

Posted by Haley Collier · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

For my children to live confidently and comfortably, as proficient bilingual speakers of te reo Māori and English, communicating in both languages during their day to day life.

Hakaraia - Tamakimakaurau

Posted by Hakaraia Hori · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To be a part of the bigger picture.

Ha - Wellington

Posted by Natasha Kuka · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I want to speak te reo fluently.

Greta

Posted by Greta Dean · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

This is our national language.

Greg - Dunedin

Posted by Greg Dawes · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Ko te reo Māori te reo tuatahi, te reo taketake o tēnei whenua.

Greg - Auckland

Posted by Greg Fitchew · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I would my like family and I to be bilingual.

Greg - Auckland

Posted by Greg White · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To promote te reo.

Grant - Hamilton

Posted by Grant Fraser · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

My journey to understand the history, culture and my place within it has led to a desire to understand and be fluent in Te Reo Maori.

Graeme - Auckland

Posted by Graeme Foster · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I think it's vital that students have an understanding of Te Reo and that it gets incorporated into our lessons and classrooms more effectively.

Golden - Westcoast

Posted by Golden Friend · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To honour and support our culture and language.

Glenda - Napier

Posted by Glenda Sinden · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I have just started my Te reo māori journey and this is another step in my commitment to learn .

Ginni - Wellington

Posted by Ginni Murray · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I'm taking part because 'He pai ake te iti i te kore' (A little is better than none).

Gina - Tauranga

Posted by Gina Matete · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It's part of my heritage and I want te reo to flourish.

Gina - Otepoti / Dunedin

Posted by Gina Browne · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Because it us our official language and it has and does have the power to bring us all together no matter what our background is .

Gillian - Tauranga

Posted by Gillian Gallazzi · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I am a Teacher Aide at a school using Te Reo.

Gillian - Kirikiriroa

Posted by Gillian King · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It's an acknowledgement of my whakapapa, and been a long time coming.

Gillian - Invercargill

Posted by Gillian Wass · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

it's a language i grew up around and it's not heard as much as we used it now and it should be.

Gill - Wellington

Posted by Gill Ackley · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I am on a learning journey with Te Reo so the children I teach and I are learning together.

Gill - Dunedin

Posted by Gill Rutherford · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

I need and want to learn more.

Gilbert - Whangarei

Posted by Gilly Paki · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

he tautoko au te reo o matou tupuna.

Gianni-Mia - Auckland

Posted by Gianni-Mia Attrill-Dowling · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

For the Future of Māori Culture.

Gerald - Wellington

Posted by Gerald Dreaver · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It's a way of recognising the specialness of this place, and the people who first made it home.

Georgina - Napier

Posted by Georgina Ederveen · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It's important for me to take part because I want to engage more into Te Reo Maori.

Georgia - Kapiti

Posted by Georgia Humphreys · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Because its important for new zealanders to embrace there national languages .

Georgia - Dunedin

Posted by Georgia Thompson · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It’s so important to keep such an important taonga alive, especially in light of its vilification in the past.

Georgia - Christchurch

Posted by Georgia Hollebon · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Doing my part to connect to the language of the whenua and taking steps like learning te reo to honor the treaty and join on the journey of reconciliation with Māori.

Geoffrey - Kaitaia

Posted by Geoffrey Marchant · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To balance the books.

Geoff - Auckland

Posted by Geoff Hemmingson · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

Te Reo is our lanuguage.

Genevieve - Thames

Posted by Genevieve Staite · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To understand and learn then share the knowledge .

Genevieve - Christchurch

Posted by Genevieve Doube · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

To honour the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi .

Geneveive - Auckland 0614

Posted by Geneveive Pritchard · September 14, 2020 2:45 PM

It is important for me to take part because I believe that every child should learn te reo Maaori from the moment that they start school.

Gemma - Queenstown

Posted by Gemma Carter · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I am currently teaching Social Movements as an inquiry with my class.

Gem - Auckland

Posted by Gem Davidson · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Because I want to learn the native language of Aotearoa.

Gavin - Ōtautahi

Posted by Gavin Kingsley · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Ko te Reo Māori he taonga tuku iho mo ngā tangata o Aotearoa katoa.

Gary - Otaki

Posted by Gary Te Hei · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Just to show support for the kaupapa mainly.

Garon - Hastings

Posted by Garon Buczynski · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I am an import ( from South Africa) and feel it’s important to know a bit more about how NZ got to where it is today.

Gareth - Hamilton

Posted by Gareth Duncan · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I need to be a role model for my own children and others.

Gail - Palmerston North

Posted by Gail Munro · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Because I've got to get started learning te reo.

Gabrielle - Wellington

Posted by Gabrielle OConnor · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Important part of New Zealand's history and what makes us unique today.

Gabrielle - Motueka

Posted by Gabrielle Bell · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

To create a more understanding and connected New Zealand.

Frankie - Thames 3500

Posted by Frankie Bullen · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I am in my senior years.

Frankie - Hamilton

Posted by Frankie Te Haate · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It’s a beginning.

Francis - Tamaki makaurau

Posted by Francis Leaf · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Revitalise our language.

Francis - Dargaville

Posted by Francis Toko · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Mō oku tamariki.

Franceska - Auckland

Posted by Franceska Tangaere · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

My heritage and my whakapapa .

Frances - Whanganui

Posted by Frances stachl · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Because I'm Māori, and I want to be able to speak my language without feeling whakamā.

Frances - Timaru

Posted by Frances Coles · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Maori language and culture is something so special and unique to us as New Zealanders and we ALL have a responsibility to preserve it.

Fran - Wellington

Posted by Fran Allen · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Part of our NZ culture!

Fleur - Masterton

Posted by Fleur Jane · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Kia ora,.

Fleur - Auckland

Posted by Fleur Purdeu · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I have a wee bit of Maori ancestry and would like to celebrate that.

Fiona - Taupō

Posted by Fiona Ell · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Te reo Māori is a taonga and I want to participate in expanding its influence.

Fiona - Dunedin

Posted by Fiona Hall · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Te Reo Màori is one of Aotearoa's most precious taonga.

Fiona - Christchurch

Posted by Fiona Deehan · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

My husband and I came here on a working holiday from Ireland 10 years ago, and have made NZ our home.

Fiona - Auckland

Posted by Fiona Webster · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I feel that it is important to celebrate and learn te reo so that I can incorporate it into my everyday life - it is our unique national language and teaches us about our history and culture and connections to this amazing country.

Finn - Richmond Nelson

Posted by Finn Deeley · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It's a goal of mine this year to improve my knowledge of Te Reo and use it more widely with my class.

Fi - Ōtautahi

Posted by Fi Glasgow · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I would love to speak confidently in public & have it roll off my tongue without thinking.

Felicity - Waikanae

Posted by Felicity Bothamley · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Te reo is essential to the Maori people because it is core to a culture.

Feiloaiga - Porirua, Mana

Posted by Feiloaiga · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

To present who we are and our ancestors who taught us to be respectful in any context!

Faasulu - Samoa

Posted by Faasulu Talatonu · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I need some experiments about learning this knowledges.

F. Jorge - Wellington

Posted by F. Jorge Bornemann Arquero · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Ko te Reo Māori ko te Reo o te whenua.

Evana - Auckland

Posted by Evana Chan · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Maori is important to NZ and it should be more commonly used and taught.

Eunice - Auckland

Posted by Eunice Ataahua · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It is important so that our reo will continue into the future.

Esteve - 17820-Banyoles(Catalonia)

Posted by Esteve Masó · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Kia fora.

Eshita - Dunedin

Posted by Eshita Sutariya · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I am a planner, new to job.

Errol - Christchurch

Posted by Errol Turei · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I AM MAORI.

Ernest - Motueka

Posted by Ernest Li · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

Tautoko for rangatahi Māori who I work with.

Erina - Tamaki Makaurau

Posted by Erina Henare-Aperahama · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It is important for us and our tamariki to be part of significant events such as these, even though te reo is a major part of their everyday, as it gives them moments to remember where we are part of something greater than our classroom or our kura or our whānau.

Erin - Whanganui

Posted by Erin Browne · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

To show my support of progressing Te Reo Maori.

Erin - Auckland

Posted by Erin Lee · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

As both a first generation immigrant and fourth generation Pakeha, I believe that using te reo in my everyday life is a way of respecting the gifting to te reo to Aotearoa .

Erica-Jayne - Methven

Posted by Erica-Jayne Tipene · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

So that l can enforce my te reo journey.

Erica - Marton

Posted by Erica Green · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I am part Maori but I look European so have lived a life privileged due to my skin colour.

Erica - Lower Hutt

Posted by Erica Gordon · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It is important for young children to have access to all cultures that reside in NZ.

Eric - Wellington

Posted by Eric Janssen · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

One for all, all for one.

Eric - Rotorua

Posted by Eric Hollis · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

We are a bicultural country.

Emma-Jayne - London

Posted by Emma-Jayne Kururangi · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

I want to make sure I give my son the best bi-lingual start.

Emma - Rolleston

Posted by Emma Woolford · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

To revitalise Te Reo with my learners and increase my own capability.

Emma - Opotiki

Posted by Emma Kain-Gibb · September 14, 2020 2:44 PM

It’s important for me to take part so I can embrace my whakapapa.

Emma - Çhristchurch

Posted by Emma Daly · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

This is a beautiful Reo and ALL New Zealanders need to make sure it is never lost.

Emma - Copenhagen

Posted by Emma Wilson-Hill · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It’s important to me that we decolonize our language and remove the barriers to knowledge of indigenous taonga like weaving, carving and tattooing, as well as the spiritual knowledge of our people that is unfortunately disappearing with our tūpuna.

Emma - Auckland

Posted by Emma Utanga · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I’m not of Māori descent but I still think it’s important for Te Rēo to be recognised more in NZ than it has been.

Elsdon - Papakura

Posted by Elsdon Moore · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori!

Ellie - Whanganui

Posted by Ellie Read · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

By participating and including te reo in our daily practice will help encourage our tamariki and myself to become confident to speak te reo Māori.

Ellen hinekahu - Hamilton

Posted by Ellen hinekahu Ohlson · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I Wana do myself proud to further my te reo.

Ellen - Christchurch

Posted by Ellen Fahey · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I moved here and married a New Zealander, now my children are from here too, I want to be a part of and to celebrate the beautiful culture of this land and I want my children to grow up knowing who they are and where they come from.