Grandparents and some parents had unpleasant memories of their school days as far as the Maori language was concerned:
in Russell 8/ 20 people interviewed had received corporal punishment at school for speaking Maori, and another 3 were punished . . One
elderly lady summed up the situation very well: I have to go back t o Te Kao for a good conversation in Maori because even the old
ladies (older and younger than myself) round here speak English. The [local) Maori all use English so I think and speak in Pakeha and I'm
laughed at back in Te Kao.
Source: Read the full NZCER report here
Te Tai Tokerau | Northland | Far North | 1970-79 | Story is by tangata whenua
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