Many of the people we spoke with were worried about the drop in the number of people who knew or used the Maori language in Te Puna, and some of the parents were taking part in classes to improve, particularly, their ability to speak the language. They got a lot out of these classes which concentrated on whaikorero skills on the marae, and were now using more Māori within their home, as well as teaching it to their own children. It was the younger people who took the first step in setting up these classes, and they were given a lot of support by the kaumatua. It was hoped that the children would follow their parents and come to realize how important Maori was in the modern world. "
Source: Read the full NZCER report here
Te Moana-ā-Toi | Bay of Plenty | Western Bay of Plenty | 1970-79 | Story is by tangata whenua
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