"You couldn't say one word of Maori without getting the strap". Most of the older people in Otiria, Pokapu and Ngapipito had had this kind of experience; seven of the 16 household heads we spoke to about their school experiences said they had been punished at school for speaking Maori. six physically. and only three had been to schools where there was no rule against using Maori in the school grounds. Some of the people in Tautoro were luckier: although 11 of the 17 who talked to us about their school days had been punished for speaking Maori, three had actually been encouraged to use the language when they were at school.
Te Tai Tokerau | Northland | Far North | 1970-79 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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