Share your why

Elena - Auckland

Posted by Elena Olive · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Language is so important to identity the culture that it represents.

Elai - Auckland

Posted by Elai Tuivaiti · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Tautoko te kaupapa.

Eilish - Auckland

Posted by Eilish Farrell · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

.

Eileen - Tauranga

Posted by Eileen Langley · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

.

Edwina - Auckland

Posted by Edwina Nathan · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I am Maori.

Ed - Ōtepoti

Posted by Ed Stainsby · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I love te reo Māori and I want to celebrate it.

Ebony - Otorohanga

Posted by Ebony Te Kanawa · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Because this is who I am and I want to embrace my culture.

Dylan - Napier

Posted by Dylan Wilson · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

My wife is half Māori and we have 3 tamariki and think it's important that we all learn some te reo along with other teachings while embracing their Māori heritage, culture and whakapapa.

Dr Bryce - Hastings

Posted by Dr Bryce Kihirini · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Ta te mea, he Maori ahau.

Dougal - Wellington

Posted by Dougal McNeill · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Kia ora te reo rangatira!

Dorothy - Christchurch

Posted by Dorothy Gelens · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I am aware I need to improve my pronunciation .

Dorothy - Auckland

Posted by Dorothy Maclachlan · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

To strengthen and empower our young in keeping not only our language alive but our culture and all the learnings that have been passed down through generations.

Donnalena - Auckland

Posted by Donnalena McCarthy · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It is important to keep te reo maori alive and for all kiwi’s to know that even if you are not maori it is apart of kiwi culture and identity and to know the history of our country.

Donna - Porirua

Posted by Donna Campbell · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I myself am Maori, I know very little te reo and want to learn and embrace our beautiful language.

Donna - Lower Hutt

Posted by Donna Franklin · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I would like to be able to join with my whanau being an urban Maori I was never taught as our Dad did not think te reo could help us.

Donna - Auckland

Posted by Donna Allen · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It is NZ's culture and I would like to share this with my children.

Donna - Auckland

Posted by Donna Clark · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I work in a school and am aware of how important it is to respect and value other cultures.

Dominika - Manukau

Posted by Dominika White · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

For my children, so that they can understand this beautiful language and the wisdom it holds.

Dianne - Picton

Posted by Dianne John · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Living in a bicultural society it is good to learn more about other cultures.

Diane - Stratford

Posted by Diane Hill · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I personally feel I want to feel more connected .

Diane - Christchurch

Posted by Diane Mundy · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Te reo maori is the language of our country.

Diana - Warkworth

Posted by Diana Barrie · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I want to hear the reo, read it, speak it often and easily everywhere in Aotearoa.

Diana - Auckland

Posted by D Yukich · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It’s the language of indigenous New Zealanders, I believe it should be a language we all speak.

Di - Queenstown

Posted by Di Lauder · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I want to embrace our beautiful language, begin using it more often.

Destinee - Southland

Posted by Destinee Erihe · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

To revitalise our culture and the essence of our culture💜.

Destani - Wellington

Posted by Destani Proctor · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It’s important for me to start learning Te Reo Maori because now I have a 7 month daughter, I feel like it’s important to teach her as well as myself.

Desmone - Hamilton

Posted by Desmone Morete · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

I love listening to te reo Maori and it helps in my journey to learn how to korero Maori.

Desley - Tauranga

Posted by Desley Smith · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Work .

Department of Corrections - auckland

Posted by Department of Corrections Community Corrections · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

It is part of who we are as a nation and we are proud of our heritage and culture.

Dennis - Kirikiriroa

Posted by Dennis Mouranga · September 14, 2020 2:43 PM

Celebrate been Māori.

Denise - Hamilton

Posted by Denise Hird · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

I think Te Reo is a beautiful language and would like to have it heard more and used more as part of mainstream life.

Demme - Levin

Posted by Demme Hartley · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

Revitalization is happening now - We are taking back our mana.

Delmun - tamaki ma kau rau

Posted by Delmun Wharewaka · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

kei te pakari au ki te reo kei te whakaako nga tamariki he whakapapa.

Delanie - Kaitaia

Posted by Delanie Parangi · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

He reo motuhake kua tukuna mai i o mātou tupuna.

Deirdre - Rangiora

Posted by Deirdre Ryan · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

Our agency is in a journey to weave te rēo and tikanga into who we are here at Wellbeing to enrich us as individuals, as an agency and most importantly for our community.

Dee - Tokoroa

Posted by Dee Tearoa-Natua · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

I am a New Zealander and Te Reo Maori is part of who I am!

Dee - Auckland

Posted by Dee Morgan · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

Te reo Maori can be kept alive if we korero Maori everywhere, everyday .

Deborah - Christchurch

Posted by Deborah Jarrett · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

To get our tamariki speaking more, having a go.

Debby - Ngaruawahia

Posted by Debby Clare-Thomas · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

Promoting a bicultural NZ.

Debby - Marlborough

Posted by Debby Upsall · September 14, 2020 2:42 PM

I want to become more fluent in te reo and understand the tikanga better so I can feel more connected with the people of this land.

Debbie - Gisborne

Posted by Debbie Viljoen · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te Reo Maori is a beautiful language, taking part is our small effort to honour te reo Māori by learning to use it, pronounce it and respect it.

Deb - Napier

Posted by Deb Stewart · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te Reo Māori is such a rich and beautiful language!

Dawn - Rotorua

Posted by Dawn Service · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

In short to Normalise Te reo Māori and to make those around me confident enough to use The reo they know and not feel whakama or be afraid to get it wrong.

Dawn - Greymouth

Posted by Dawn Stanbridge · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because I'm Maori, love the language , want to hear the language every day and use it as much as I can.

Davina - Hamilton

Posted by Davina Vaughn · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To show the importance of learning Māori and maintaining the beauty of our reo and the importance of keeping it alive and valued .

Davidda - Auckland

Posted by Davidda Hikatangata · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

I want to take part because te reo is important to me.

David - Turanganui a kiwa

Posted by David Spraggs · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Striving to be better in my pronunciation and reo.

David - Rotorua

Posted by David Herewini · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Growing up in an era and not being allowed to learn or speak Te Reo.

David - Ohakune

Posted by David Sims · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te Ao Maori is the only unique identifier we have from any other nation in the world.

David - Christchurch

Posted by David Guthrie · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Important to use the language.

David - Auckland

Posted by David Makeef · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te reo Māori is the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand and as such should be part of our every day vocabulary.

David - Auckland

Posted by David Dias · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

NZ is Maori, it needs to be that.

Dave - Invercargill

Posted by Dave Joll · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

For my niece/goddaughter who is growing up learning te reo.

Darius - Wellington

Posted by Darius Fagan · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because Te Reo is so important to the culture of aotearoa.

Daph - Mangonui

Posted by Daph Gledhill · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Kua ako au i te reo Māori mō te tau tekau engari kāhore au e kōrero ki tōku kāinga.

Danny - Ōtautahi

Posted by Danny Squires · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Mōhio ahau iti reo.

Danni-Elle - Auckland

Posted by Danni-Elle Lindsay · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Korerotia te reo i nga wa katoa, kia kore e rite ki te moa.

Danielle - Hamilton

Posted by Danielle Pearce · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To learn about my culture and who I am :) for my tupuna!

Danielle - Coromandel

Posted by Danielle Dudson · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Bcuz it's my culture my heritage .

Danielle - Auckland

Posted by Danielle Kennedy · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because I am a NZ european born in Aotearoa and identify with our shared culture, taiao and tikanga; so I need to learn more te reo and about te ao maori, matauranga maori, korero tuku iho and wakapapa.

Daniella - Hamilton

Posted by Daniella Frogley · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To keep challenging myself!

Daniel - Upper Hutt

Posted by Daniel Tily · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

So I can learn more of the Maori language and use it more often.

Lois - Opaheke

Posted by Lois Hawley-Simmonds · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

He Māori Au.

Daniel - Ōtepoti Dunedin

Posted by Daniel Belton · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te reo Māori is a beautiful language and it is much wished for its return to fully be embraced, and shared.

Daniel - Napier

Posted by Daniel McGuire · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

I want to be able to stand up and korero maori in front of all my whanau and represent my whanau on our marae and especially in front of my mum and dad.

Dana - Invercargill

Posted by Dana Gillard · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

I believe as one of our countries languages it is important to learn and embrace and continue the language.

Damien - Auckland

Posted by Damien · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

My wife is part Maori so I want to show respect for her heritage.

Dahlene - Ngaruawahia

Posted by Darleen Clarke · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

I've been a bit slack and I'm still learning but I need koorero more often to keep the reo alive!

Cynthia - Levin

Posted by Cynthia Foster · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To keep the language alive.

Cushla - Auckland

Posted by cushla Dillon · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

As a Pākehā, learning Te Reo Is an important part of who I want to be in Aotearoa 2020, acknowledging the mana whenua, Te Ao Māori, and my own whakapapa as a 3rd generation of settler origin.

Crystal - Tamaki makaurau

Posted by Crystal Toluaki · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To model to the youngest generation the value and importance of Te reo.

Craig - Christchurch

Posted by Craig Squire · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because this is who we are as a nation!

Craig - Auckland

Posted by Craig Walters · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Learning Te Rep opens up a culture and world I would like to know deeper.

Courtney - Wairoa

Posted by Courtney Smith-Pinkham · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

To keep our culture ALIVE.

Courtney - Dunedin

Posted by Courtney Hook · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

It’s who I am .

Corrina - Napier

Posted by Corrina Heke-Mayes · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

its a beautiful language and want to learn more sentence structure.

Corey - Gisborne

Posted by Corey Kibble · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because Te Reo Maori should be more prevalent in our society.

Conrad - Tauranga

Posted by Conrad Timoti · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

I am Maori and Maori is me.

Connie - Rotorua

Posted by Connie Logan · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te reo is the lifeblood of Maori culture.

Collin - Rotorua

Posted by Collin Goodsell · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Being that one in a million is not what is important.

Colleen - Paeroa

Posted by Colleen Renata · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Our Kura Rumaki is now in its 3rd year so while the mokopuna have forged ahead , keeping up is pretty difficult when it comes to age .

Colette - Sydney

Posted by Colette Nicoll · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

When we left Aotearoa, my high school had just celebrated Martin Simeon as the first Te Reo language winner at a Ngai Tahu school.

Clare - Dunedin

Posted by Clare Ridout · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because te reo Maori is the first language of the country, a precious taonga.

Clare - Auckland

Posted by Clare Litten · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

We are Aotearoa New Zealand; Te Reo is a beautiful, official language of our country.

Claire - Wellington

Posted by Ruma 14 St Josephs School Upper Hutt · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Keep te reo alive in NZ.

Claire - Taranaki

Posted by Claire Takamore · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Kia mohio ki Te korero Maaori I Nga was katoa.

Claire - Napier

Posted by Claire Watts · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Progress my personal learning as well as that of the children.

Claire - Lower Hutt

Posted by Claire Southward · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Because Te Reo Māori is the first language of Aotearoa.

claire - Auckland

Posted by Claire Cheeseman · September 14, 2020 2:41 PM

Te Reo is a special part of who we are in Aoteroa.

Claire - Auckland

Posted by Claire Johnston · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

Te Reo is the first language of this land.

Christine - Palmerston North

Posted by Christine Hattle · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

Many years ago I went to night school to learn te reo.

Christine - Napier

Posted by Christine Peterson · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

I want to be able to communicate with others in te reo to help create a better, more united NZ.

Christine - Christchurch

Posted by Christine Walker · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

I want to finally learn more about te ao Māori and Te Reo and share as much as I can to keep this beautiful taonga alive.

Christine - Auckland

Posted by Christine Rush · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

Maori culture makes us unique in the world.

Christina - Whangarei, Northland

Posted by Christina Wihongi · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

Have an appreciation as I'm getting older, and wiser.

Christina - Wellington

Posted by Christina Wray · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

I see it as the perfect encouragement to more actively participate in the use of te reo Māori in my daily life.

Christina - Tauranga

Posted by Christina Medlycott · September 14, 2020 2:40 PM

Im an early childhood teacher and as a partner of Tiriti o Watangi it is my obligation to uphold The principles of the treaty, as well as to work towards bicultural curriculum aspirations.