Te pae kōrero | Our why

There are many things that define New Zealanders and connect us to our home: and te reo Māori is one of them.

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to learn te reo and see it become normalised and spoken nationwide. Explore them below and share your favourites to inspire others to get involved.


Add your 'why'

Its really important because at 65 Te Reo Maori and to korero fluent Maori is a long held dream of mine. My journey is not easy because there is te kupu, sentence structures, and so so much to learn. Learning Te Reo teaches me about my personal confidence and what I think about myself and others and how I view the world. It has changed my perspective of the world I live in. It is an absolute taonga to be treasured. Ka nui te pai te reo maori. Kia Ora

Graeme

We are a bi cultural Kindergarten and we already speak te reo at our Kindergarten with our Kaiako, Tamariki and whaanau. Te reo Maori is a taonga to Maori and to Aotearoa and we want to ensure te reo is kept and treasured within Aotearoa.

Glenview

I need to keep practicing so I can remember my te reo as it part my life as a kiwi

Glenda

I won't understand te ao maori unless I understand the language.

Ginny

He taonga no oku tupuna, ma aku uri. Ko taku reo Maori, ko taku mauri ora, ko taku mauri tau

Gina

I've been learning some basics this year and am loving hearing Te Reo spoken more widely - I want to be able to participate but have been shy to.

Gillian

Over the years I have learnt a little te reo Māori, but without use it gets forgotten. It has only been in recent years I have made more of an effort to use little bits daily. I want to grow that a little more.

Gillian

I'm part of Aotearoa New Zealand and we're on this waka together. Te reo Maori is something to treasure and celebrate in our country.

Gill

kia ora as a pakeha new zealander, te reo gives you a deeper connection to this country te reo is a unique treasure -we need to help preserve it as a living language it is a necessary part of trying to repair the damage and injustices caused by colonialism

Gerard

I think it's important to recognise Te Reo Māori as an official language of Aotearoa and show respect for the principles of Tiriti o Waitangi. The Māori culture holds many lessons for other cultures who live in Te Ao Pakeha.

Gerald

Because language is a gateway to understanding a culture. It's time to correct past-wrongs when it comes to education and make te reo a part of everyday life for all New Zealanders.

Georgia

to keep te reo alive and be able to teach & speak with my children

Georgia

I think in order to promote the language and to not loose it, we need to learn and practice it. Young Māori people need to feel supported in their culture and as a citizen of New Zealand, we have a duty to help keep this language alive.

Georgette

A language stays alive when more people speak it and share it. It is respectful to learn someone elses culture, language and values.

Geoff

For me as a person and to learn and share the gift of my whakapapa.

Geneva

Because my children are Maori I am not but I want them to see and feel their culture all around them for their lives. To know that they are not a minority to know they are tangata whenua and to know they are valid.

Gena

To be United with Aotearoa and step up to join in and promote Te Reo Maori

Gemma

We really enjoy the Maori language and want to really use it in our school again and keep Te Reo Maori alive!

Gemma

Taku rourou, tau rourou kia ora te iwi

Gaylene

"Ka kohi te toi, Ka whai te maramatanga" If knowledge is gathered, entlightenment will follow

Gayle

Because I live in NZ, am a naturalised NZ citizen and Māori are the first people of the land & the reo is beautiful and foundational. NZ aspires to honour the Treaty, hopefully promoting biculturalism as basic to NZ culture is part of that, and bilingualism is necessary for truly understanding another culture, or becoming part of both/integrating both. I've learned that through living in different countries with different languages, that you can only really 'get' or understand things in another culture if you speak that language, at least to a degree. Part of Heidigger's notion of the inarticuable 'background' of ways of being - need to absorb them & being in the language really facilitates that tacit type of knowing or understanding. Plus, it's just the right thing to do.

Gay

I te mea he Māori ahau.

Gavin

The Maori language is our language so it’s import for all New Zealanders to learn and use to keep the language alive

Gary

E arohaina ahau i te reo māori. E ako au i te reo rangatira mō taku whānau, mō te mohio taiao, mō te whakapai i te whenua.

Gareth

It is a part of our history and our future.

Gareth

Te two Maori is uniquely New Zealand and it’s important that we continue the language and learning of the culture as a whole nation. I want to be able to use as much Maori language in my everyday life as I can.

Gabrielle

It's important for our children to acknowledge the Reo of our Tangata Whenua.

Fu'e

Te Reo is part of the history of this land, it is important to keep it alive.

Freddie

Kei te arohanui ahau ki ta tatou reo rangatira.

Frances

It wasn't until I read and understood the history of New Zealand and the devastating impact on Maori that I came to understand my own story and what I left behind because of my own dislocation. This language and culture enriches me in a way my colonial culture has failed to enrich me.

Frances

I’ll draw Maori stuff

Flynn

Reo is the language of Aotearoa

Florence

because i want to recognize the culture of the country i live in.

Floki

I'm pakeha but I want to help lift te reo back up, up, up to where it ought to be. I believe if we all have understanding of te reo and te ao maori - it will help undo some of the terrible consequences of colonisation. We ALL benefit, every single human in aotearoa.

Fiona

Because Aotearoa is my turanga waewae. Because in my work it shows Manaaki

Fiona

Te reo Māori is the first language and unique taonga of Aotearoa/New Zealand. It's vital we all help cultivate it and keep it alive. I can do my bit by learning te reo (currently doing a course through Te Wananga o Aotearoa). Plus, I want to deepen my connection and understanding of te ao Māori; te reo is a key to this. It's also important for my mahi with Te Papa Atawhai. Ngā mihi nui, Fiona

Fiona

To show the importance of te reo Māori to Aotearoa today. Nō reira e hoa mā te kōrero i te reo e ora ai. It is by using the language, it will live.

Fiona

it is important to learn te reo as part of being a NZer

Fiona

I tried some Te Reo lessons last year and really enjoyed the language, but not confident enough to use it in any real way. This is a great initiative.

Fiona

Te reo is important

felicity

Taking part in this conscious effort to normalise the use of Te Reo, celebrate the language, and not be afraid to give it a go is an important part of my journey to decolonise my world view, and unlearn a lot of the bias I grew up with. When I was younger I often felt too plastic to identify with my Maori heritage, but through starting to learn Te Reo I feel proud and empowered to keep learning more about my background, and to get more confident and build up a habit of using Te Reo in my every day life even if it's just through using Te Reo placenames, greetings and basic phrases to begin with.

Fea

To learn more about the Maori language

Faye

kia kore ai e ngaro to tatou reo. . . Akotia te katoa

Fay

Pūkaha is a National Wildlife Centre that was recently given back to the Rangitāne iwi, it is important to uphold Te Reo me ona Tikanga o ngā tipuna. He tono ki a koutou, nau mai haere mai, ka tirohia ngā toanga, ā Manukura (he kiwi mā), ā Kahurangi he Kokāko tino matatau. . . . . ā waea mai 06 375 8004 emara: info@pukaha. org. nz The blog post slug for this story is: everlyne_-_eketahuna The blog post slug for this story is: everlyne_-_eketahuna_0vuxwhlgd8amajs8cbcn2w

Everlyne

Because my father and whanau around me growing up were native speakers. Its not until know they are gone that I realize I had the resources.

Evelyn

Participate in a really important Kaupapa.

Evelyn

It's so important because I am Maori, can't be no other

Evelyn

Im maori and trainging to be a teacher at te wananga o aotearoa . . this is my native tongue learn it speak it snd share it

Evangeline

Respecting and understanding Aotearoa's culture and history better!

Geneva

To honor New Zealand history and inhabitants

Eugenia

It's an important part of being a New Zealander - it's an imporant part of who we are, our history and I want to acknowledge that a lot more. . .

Eugene

Te Reo Māori koia nei tātou taonga

Ethan

I would love for Reo Maori to be more common in NZ

Etana

Kia whakarauora te reo rakatira, mā te hāpori, mā te reo ā waha, me te mea nei te tipu o ngā tamariki i waekanui te reo e kōrero ana, mo ngā reanga e whai muri. Because it is really important to us to revitalise Te Reo Māori, for it to be everywhere in our hāpori and to be a normal thing to hear and use so our tamariki grow up using it, treasuring it and sharing it for future generations.

Erin

I wish te reo Māori was taught more when I was at school and I want my children to experience it authentically at home and in school.

Erin

It is important to me because I am a proud New Zealander and Te Reo Maori is something that on only everyone in New Zealand should have some knowledge of and appreciate but it is also something this is unique to New Zealand.

Because my teacher is making me. and being in New Zealand mean i have to embrace the Maori culture

Eric

This is important to me for two reasons: 1. We owe it to our tupuna who came before us and who ONLY spoke in reo Māori like my great great Kuia Nanny Te Aue Hohepa nee Tanguru 1890 - 1972 featured in the image who couldn't speak English. Through the impact of colonization, so many of their tamariki, their mokopuna, our elders were swept into te ao Pakeha forced to believe our reo taonga was of no value to use or to feed to the next generations in order to survive let alone thrive in te ao pakeha. 2. We owe it to our tamariki, our mokopuna who need us to lead the way in being part of the movement of restoring and normalizing our reo Māori once again. He reo rangatira, he reo taonga, it is part of who we are, who we come from and where we need to grow. Our past, our present, our future. Mauri ora!

Erena

Mōku ake kia ora te reo mo ngā rangi e haere ake nei ahakoa te aha, tipu ake ahau i roto i te reo māori nā reira e tika ana kia noho ko te reo māori hei tuāpapa māku ao te pō, pō te ao. Whakatinanahia ko te reo māori me ōna āhuatanga katoa! Mauri! ! !

Emma Te Rangi

I want to work as an educational psychologist. I cannot help all children equally if I do not know enough about their culture, or make them feel welcome in my room.

Emma

I want to tautoko the revitalisation of te reo Māori and address the current imbalance of the position te reo holds within everyday life and mainstream media. Te Reo Māori should be in supermarkets, cinemas, cafes and restaurants etc but not just seen - spoken too. People should be able to order and be served in Māori at any establishment in Aotearoa. It is the indigenous language of this country ascwellas an official language but it is not currently treated by all with the mana it deserves. The revitalisation of te reo Māori is not just a māori problem, all citizens of Aotearoa have an obligation as treaty partners and the te reo cannot thrive unless we are all on the waka. I hope to see more Pākehā like myself learn te reo and recognise the role they play.

Emma

It's important because this is the only place in the world, in all of te Ao, that we can speak, learn, sing and play in te reo Māori. My akonga and I are super excited to be part of the reo moment at 12 and we've signed the rest of our kura up as well! Kia kaha te reo Māori!

Emma

I’m a sixth generation New Zealander living in Aotearoa. It’s important that papatuanuku is protected, the manaatikanga is upheld and my children appreciate, love and look after the beautiful culture of Maori

Emma

I think it is important for me to sign up because it should help me learn about my culture and language.

Emma

Because I think, Te Reo Māori should have more emphasis on it and used more commonly and widely across Aoteroa.

Emma

Te reo Maori is one of the things that makes our country so special and unique, it's our super power we just have to harness it and all make an effort to learn. I love learning along with my kids, they pick it up fast and help to teach me things. We are just beginning but every step counts.

Emily

Because my teacher said so! !

I want te reo to be a proper language in New Zealand

Emily

As someone born and bred in Aotearoa I want to take part to do my part in learning and connecting with the culture of my country. Culture is directly linked with the language so it would be enlightening to learn more and understand the hearts of the tangata whenua of Aotearoa.

Emily

Its important because our language is dying and we need to keep it alive. I wish to learn more and be able to teach my children, my mokos, so on and so on! Its important because I didnt grow up learning Te Reo, but I embrace it love it breathe it.

Emery

Every moment starts with a single thought, a single act by a single individual. We all have a part to play for ourselves and with others.

Emelita

I love singing and tu Teri mai nga iwi is my favorite song

Elspeth

To feel connected to the Tangata Whenua and to support others in their journey to be more culturally responsive.

elroy

It is important for me because I am French and I decide to come and live in New Zealand and for me te reo Maori it is the first language of the country and I should be able to speak that language and knowing the history of my new country

Elodie

I've recently migrated to Aotearoa from Australia, and felt it was important as a new arrival to learn/educate myself in Te reo Maori and the Maori culture. I feel like I can't really be part of this country until I have a well rounded understanding and knowledge of the traditional owners and their journey.

Shelly

I’d enjoy learning more everyday phrases in te Reo. Kia Ora and Ka Pai is just not enough

Ellie

Connecting with my culture

Ella

Some of my family are part of the Maori community and I would like to join in this important project to increase the use of te reo Maori. The best I could do at the magic Moment - since I was sitting outside a Wellington cafe - was sing along with the Tutira Mai Nga Iwi link several times through. What a nice thing to do though!

Elizabeth

to continue my learning my husband is a fluent speaker & I am still learning I love it & my passion is raranga

Irihapeti

As a kaiako - I feel it's important to take part and teach our tamariki to understand the importance of Te Reo Māori. The more we speak Te Reo Māori - the more normal it becomes in our everyday life.

Elizabeth

I appreciate connecting with others on such an important and inspiring take, which provides another way that I can learn and grow my knowledge.

Elisabeth

When I moved to Aotearoa pakeha culture felt foreign to me, and intuitive as it asked me to leave my culture at the door and embrace more traditional British values in order to be accepted. Māori culture welcomed we with my whole baggage, celebrating my tikanga e whakapapa. Diversity enriches us all. Moving Aotearoa toward being a real bicultural country will enrich us all.

Eleonora

There are many aspects of Maori culture which I find very inspiring, and learning the language brings us all closer together.

Eleanor

We have been living in Australia since 1985, our four children were young then, which means our grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren are foreign to their te reo Maori, yet their wairua within tells them otherwise. I’m all about leaving legacies for our children’s children and so forth, that we can always identify our roots and who we are as children of God, no matter where we plant our feet to reside. I love my reo, my culture and my Maori’ness, although we were not taught to korero Maori or understand te reo, it’s never too late to learn.

Eleanor

I had a little Te Reo Maori education at primary school and attended some Te Reo Maori classes in my early 20s. Now in my early 70s I would like encourage my young grandsons to be more confident than I am to use Te Reo Maori.

Elaine

So that current and future generations do not lose this important heritage - language defines the people - who they are and where they have come from.

Elaine

To show an interest in keeping te reo alive and being used daily in New Zealand

Elaine

find it interesting to learn a new language.

Eileen

I have been trying for some time to learn Te Reo and have been involved with several Zoom lessons. I do not learn languages very easily so am continuing to try.

Eileen

Kia ora, It's an important part of our heritage and well being as a nation that is maturing, and te reo is a beautiful language. Edward

Edward

My Maori ancestry and culture is important to me and I feel that some historic wrongs need to be reconciled as much as possible i. e. the strategic effort to wipe the Maori language completely back in the early 1900's. Our language is our identity.

Edward

It is important because it is the language of Aotearoa. We need to use it, respect it and emerge it into our lives. The more we use it, celebrate it and hold moments like this - The more we will learn and grow together as people of Aotearoa.

Eden

As a Canadian that migrated to Aotearoa in 2013, I took part in a journey that integrated te ao Māori and from there was inspired to integrate it in my personal life and responsiveness for the way I worked.

Edelrose

To acknowledge, show understanding of and continue to implement Tikanga in a real way.

Ed

Hidden post

I don't want the language to die

Pete

i am am te reo maori and i want to bring the language to life so everone knows what it is

Dylan

To keep Te Reo alive.

Dylan

Because te reo Maori is important to New Zealand.

Duncan

Big picture: I support the renaissance of te reo Māori as a form of redress and respecting Māori as tāngata whenua. Selfishly: my wife and kids are Māori.

Duane

Because I want to learn more about my culture

Dredyn