Although English had taken over from Maori as the language for everyday use in the home and in the community, Maori was still important in the culture and lives of most of the people we interviewed. A few of the kaumatua were sad that fewer and fewer people knew or used Maori in the area. Other people said they had spoken the language well as children and young adults, but were losing their ability to speak Maori because they had hardly any chance to use it in Te Kauwhata. Young parents were especially worried about not being able to speak Maori, because it meant they could not pass the language on to their children. This is why a lot of people wanted Maori taught in schools, especially at the primary level. Some adults were going to classes to learn Māori so that they could take part in ceremonies and hui on the marae. However, they felt that they had a long way to go before they could talk well in Maori about everyday things in the community.
Waikato | Waikato | 1970-75 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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