Most of the people we spoke to considered the Maori language to be a very important part of their life.
One man felt the retention of the Maori language was essential for the retention of one's identity. It was not only fluent speakers of the language who felt this way. Learning to speak Maori was something many of the adults who had little or no knowledge of the language were very keen to do. One woman said she feels a bit "guilty" because she is one of the few in the area who can't speak Maori.
Te Tai Rāwhiti | Gisborne | Matakaoa-Waiapu | 1970-79 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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