Because Maori is a living language, used in both home and community, by young and old, it is not surprising that hardly anyone showed concern that one day it might disappear. (one informant, however, said that in more and more homes English was being spoken.) After visits to larger towns and cities, where English was the only language spoken by many Maori residents , several people said that the Ruatoki community were lucky they knew Maori as well. Twenty-three people stated that they had been punished (either strapped or given 'lines' ) for speaking Maori while at school. But, as in many other communities, this did not stop them from teaching their own children Maori.
Te Moana-ā-Toi | Bay of Plenty | Whakatāne | 1970-79 | Story is by tangata whenua
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