Share your why

Heidi - Napier

Posted by Heidi Kereti · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

As I get to an age where mokopuna will be a part of our lives I want more knowledge and confidence in our original language and tikanga for both them and myself.

Jordan - Auckland

Posted by Jordan Pautu · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

To keep embracing and encouraging the use of Maori anguage and Maoriculture especially for Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori language week.

Nathan - Invercargill

Posted by Nathan Bergin · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

It's about putting myself out there, outside my comfort zone.

Te Akauroa - Otaki

Posted by Te Akauroa Jacob · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

He mea nui ki a au te whai wāhi atu ki te kaupapa nei hei whakatairanga i tō tātou reo kāmehameha.

Caitlin - Auckland

Posted by Caitlin McKeown · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

He puna wai, He puna kai, He puna reo, He puna ora, Ita-a-ita!

Serena - Foxton

Posted by Serena Kuiti · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

Because its my language and I'm committed to becoming confident and capable.

Harrison - Waitemata

Posted by Harrison Maree · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

I think its imporant to me as I come from maori descent.

Catherine - Porirua

Posted by Catherine Gibbs · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

Respect for our indigenous culture.

Aleise - Te Puke

Posted by Aleise Puketapu · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

To continue the legacy that our tupuna have left for us.

Christine - Wellington

Posted by Christine Hope · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

Sharing reo while also learning is a passion for me I believe we are the people to raise this language and teaching the next generation.

Embassy of Ireland to New Zealand

Posted by Embassy of Ireland · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

As a country with our own indigenous language we are mindful of the importance of one's language for our culture, identity and heritage.

Cam - Whakatāne

Posted by Cam Rota · September 14, 2020 10:59 AM

Māori is lacking within Aotearoa.

Raiha - Auckland

Posted by Raiha Hill-Tupou · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

As a wāhine Māori, I believe it's important to maintain the reo of my tīpuna, it's beautiful and unique language, to let it go would be the biggest dishonour ever.

Evelyn - Napier

Posted by Evelyn Moeke · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

I'm on my te reo journey with the wananga o aotearoa so I want to start speaking I also watch maori tv opaki it helps me a lot I can follow the program its interesting basic te reo .

Indie - Blenheim

Posted by Indie Tai Rakena · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Kia kaha te reo Māori .

Hazel - Whangarei

Posted by Hazel Wilks · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Te Reo Māori is more than a language - embracing it allows us to begin to understand the wairua of what it means to be Māori.

Te Rangi Rangi - Tolaga Bay

Posted by Te Rangi Rangi Tangohau · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Tena koe.

Adele - Nelson

Posted by Adele Anne Keefe · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Maori and proud.

alana - christchurch

Posted by alana fel · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

it is important to me to take part because I would like to celebrate and show respect for the Māori community.

Toa - Nelson

Posted by Toa Betham · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

My mum has started to do a Te Reo Maori course and has inspired me to learn the language I was born with.

Mitchell - Nelson

Posted by Mitchell Ashby · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

To help encourage others to embrace our beautiful language, to start learning and continue to make it a part of their everyday lifestyle.

Katrina - Napier

Posted by Katrina · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

It is important to me as a New Zealander for us to embrace “our” language.

Katie - Nelson

Posted by Katie O'Donnell · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

So many reasons.

Allison - Auckland

Posted by Allison Butcher · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Because I have 3 young sons with a Samoan father who is strong in his Reo and Fa'a Samoa.

Natalie - Otautahi

Posted by Natalie Maxwell · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

If you live in Aotearoa you should appreciate Te Ao Maori!

Anna - auckland

Posted by Anna Martin · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

It's a beautiful language and my kids speak it better than me!

Emma - Auckland

Posted by Emma Christensen · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

Wanting to learn more about our official language .

Jean - Auckland

Posted by Jean Yern · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

To role model to others that māori can be easy n simple and not to feel pressured into being fluent to participate.

Karen - Auckland, New Zealand

Posted by Karen Mawson · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

to share the language with my class, to inspire them to use te reo maori with more confidence.

Erica - Porirua

Posted by Erica Waipara · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

To tautoko kaupapa Maori whenever I can .

Shane - Papaioea

Posted by Shane Allen · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna ora, ita ita!

Alicia - Napier

Posted by Alicia Scott · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

To help with health equality and be a good kiwi.

Stacey - Hastings

Posted by Stacey Moana · September 14, 2020 10:58 AM

because I am proud to be Māori.

Laury - Hamilton

Posted by Laury Houghton · September 14, 2020 10:57 AM

To protect Te Reo in Aotearoa ❤️.

Ao-Tu-Te- Hanga - Kaitaia

Posted by Ao-Tu-Te- Hanga Hita · September 14, 2020 10:57 AM

Mōku ake nei te waimarie i tupu e au i raro i ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori, i raro i Te tahuhu o Te Aho Matua āno hoki.

Sophia - Ohakune

Posted by Sophia Wallace · September 14, 2020 10:57 AM

My why would be its instilled in me its who i am so to be able to reach deep within and bring it to the surface means everything to me.

Sheena - Hamilton

Posted by Sheena Peihopa · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Celebrating this significant moment in time is essential for our language to be recognised, valued and to be normalised.

Jo - Featherston

Posted by Jo Johnson · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I believe that we should all know a little of the language of our country.

Tania

Posted by Tania Reti · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I believe te reo is so important.

Vicki - Nelson

Posted by Vicki Frost · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I want all New Zealanders to be proud to be kiwi's.

Jordan - Wellington

Posted by Jordan Isteed-Haig · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

To keep the language alive and part of our taonga of Aotearoa.

Jessica - Christchurch

Posted by Jessica Cooper · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Any step towards honouring Te Tiriti ō Waitangi is a go in my books!

Madison - Christchurch

Posted by Madison Arthur · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

As a Linguistics student, I am aware of the importance of not only keeping this unique language alive, but making sure it thrives.

Zoie - Dunedin

Posted by Zoie Kupenga · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Because it’s such a beautiful language!

Cyndi - Kirikiriroa / Hamilton

Posted by Cyndi Kohunui · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

It is important to me because of my mokopuna and their mokopuna and the many generations to come.

Alexia - Panguru

Posted by Alexia Jacobs · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

If I dont learn Te Reo at my kura I dont know what the staff are saying and I dont know what the community are saying because everyone speaks Maori up here in Panguru.

Mate - Napier

Posted by Mate Dean · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

My identity is important to me.

Taurapa - Ōtautahi

Posted by Taurapa Matiu · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Me uaua ka rongo i te reo Māori ki te hapori, ina koa ki Ōtautahi.

Marion - Masterton

Posted by Marion Fox · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

My husband is fluent in Te Reo Māori and my baby attends Kohanga Reo.

Stormy - Nelson

Posted by Stormy Ashby · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Its important for because it is apart of who I am, I value who I am and what I am, and that is being a Maori.

Sheryl - Upper Hutt

Posted by Sheryl Brown · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

A sense of belonging and connecting by using te Reo .

Bonnie - Hastings

Posted by Bonnie Amner · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I’m Maori and so want to learn this beautiful language.

Hinemaia - Otaki

Posted by Hinemaia Te Hei · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Kia noho ora ko te reo maori hei kai puumau mo taku arero, otira hei reo tuatahi mo aku uri e whai ake nei.

Marie - Christchurch

Posted by Marie Venning · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

It is about honour and respect for Maori, the first people of this land.

Verity - Auckland

Posted by Verity Hall · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I am from the UK and had very little knowledge of tikanga or te reo Maori before I arrived two years ago.

Hinerangi - Wairoa

Posted by Hinerangi Tuahine · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I am part maori and I support all maori events.

Charles - Putaruru

Posted by Charles Kindergarten · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Mainstream Education in early childhood education needs the opportunity for more Kaupapa Māori.

Talya - Hastings

Posted by Talya Raukawa · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

Because if our language was never taken away from us I wouldn't need to be one of the one million.

Maria - Amberley

Posted by Maria Martin · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

I am proud to be Maori and encourage my tamariki to use the reo they have and to be proud of our heritage.

Natalie - Ahuriri

Posted by Natalie O'Donnell · September 14, 2020 10:56 AM

To make the use of te reo a more every day thing - I want my children to learn better than I did.

Gaye - Ashburton

Posted by Allenton School · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

We actively promote te reo Maori every week of the year and especially during Maori Language Week.

Tatiana - Bruce bay

Posted by Tatiana Mahuika-Wharerau · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and it is important to both my husband and I that our baby is raised around Te Ao Maori.

Heidi - Rotorua

Posted by Heidi Dungey · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

I live in NZ I should know enough Te Reo to at least get by!

Solanki - Auckland

Posted by Solanki Das · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Its good to know the basics of Maori language as most of the people in our care are Maori.

Jacone - Hamilton

Posted by Jacone Leslie · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Diversity in language and culture and respect for all people is important to me!

Paula - Oamaru

Posted by Paula Eatherley · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

I want to promote the importance of Te Reo to all NZers.

Catherine - Havelock North

Posted by Catherine Kerr · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Because everyone needs to join in so te reo Maori can thrive.

Leyla - Wellington

Posted by Leyla Neilsen · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

There is so much beauty in Te Reo Māori - I'm really keen to learn much more!

Sue - Poneke

Posted by Kristin Gillies · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

I think it's important for every New Zealander to learn and speak te reo, kia ora ai te reo mō āpōpō.

Don - Hokitika

Posted by Don Neale · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

We are wanting to improve our Treaty Partnership, starting with improving our Te Reo and Tikanga.

Terence - Melbourne

Posted by Terence Hines · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Want to teach te reo to my tamariki.

Meg - Auckland

Posted by Meg Moss · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

We think that it is every child's right to celebrate and enjoy Te Reo.

Andy - Auckland

Posted by Andy Richards · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

I've just become a citizen of Aotearoa - I think it's important that I can understand and communicate in the official languages of my new home, and especially te reo Māori as it something unique that defines and sets us apart as a nation.

haylee - aotearoa

Posted by Haylee scott · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

good for speaking in te reo and whanau.

Zane - Whakatane

Posted by Zane McCall · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

To understand.

Hayley - Auckland

Posted by Hayley Cherrington · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

To hold on to our culture, traditions, history as maori.

Fiona - Otautahi

Posted by Fiona Irving · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

To gain greater understanding of te au Maori and be more responsive.

Katherine - Palmerston North

Posted by Katherine Parlane · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

To learn more about the history and people of our land and show respect by learning the language.

Elizabeth - Matamata

Posted by Elizabeth Cressy · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Its very important that we take part, we need to be diverse and embrace Te reo Maori as in defines who we are as a people and if we encourage all New Zealanders to not be shy and learn it helps to unite us even further.

Sam Toka on behalf of - Ngaruawahia

Posted by Sam Toka on behalf of Waikato District Council · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

Maaori is the Native Language of Aotearoa.

Horiana - Auckland

Posted by Horiana Gray · September 14, 2020 10:55 AM

We had always been aware of our responsibilities to this generation of children of Aotearoa in regard to Te Reo.

Katie - Christchurch

Posted by Katie Auston · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

For my whanau.

Nina - Christchurch

Posted by Nina Vailu'u · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

I think cultural identities are important and we, as a nation, have a collective/common culture that includes te ao Māori.

Brea - Blenheim

Posted by Brea Mason · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

My sister is a Maori teacher and she encourages me to participate in any activities or hui in my area.

Te Angihau - Palmerston north

Posted by Te Angihau Williams · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

Kia whakaputa ai ahau i taku tautoko mõ tõ tātou reo rangatira😊.

Waimarie - Wellington

Posted by Waimarie Marks · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

RIP Global is a New Zealand based Maori technology company.

Teresa - Inglewood

Posted by Teresa Jones · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

We always celebrate te wiki o te reo māori and this is a new and unique way to be involved.

Ruiha - Auckland

Posted by Ruiha Epiha · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

It is important for me to expose our kids to te reo Māori as much as possible so that they may have pride in being Māori and and be proud of our iwi/reo taketake.

Te Mare - Porirua

Posted by Te Mare Katipa-Nepia · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

Being māori is why it’s important to me .

Bellevue - Wellington

Posted by Bellevue Kindergarten · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

Because we need to keep the language alive.

Samuel - Porirua

Posted by Samuel McMillan · September 14, 2020 10:54 AM

I have a deep respect and love for the indigenous people of Aotearoa and want to take part in promoting and expanding the beautiful culture so we can learn more.

Maxine - Whakaoriori / Masterton

Posted by Maxine Hemi · September 14, 2020 10:53 AM

Kia rangona e taku mokopuna te reo Māori e rere ana.

Rowena - Upper Hutt

Posted by Rowena Echano · September 14, 2020 10:53 AM

We are a team of dedicated teachers who provide bicultural practices in our kindergarten to strengthen Te Re Maori among our tamariki and celebrate Maori language and culture within our kindergarten community.

Lynne - Nukuhou

Posted by Lynne Hickling · September 14, 2020 10:53 AM

Because speaking te reo should be as natural as breathing for the tamariki of Aotearoa.

Ines - Auckland

Posted by Ines Burzig Burzig · September 14, 2020 10:53 AM

My children have the honour of being quarter Maori and I would like to learn alongside them so we all gain knowledge and insight to this part of their culture .