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'

I have many mokopuna and mokomoko who have gone through kohanga reo me kura. I want to ensure they korero maori i nga wa katoa then their future generations will too

Bernadette

Its important for everyone to learn Te Reo Māori as this is our native language of New Zealand.

Kristin

Because I am on a journey discovering my Maori ancestry. Because I have been blessed in the journey of discoveries, as one stone after another is turned, and I have met whanau I didn't know I had, who have helped me learn about te ao Maori. Who have honoured my desire to discover my story in the stories of my tupuna. HOKIANGA Te Puna o Te Ao Marama The Wellspring of the World of Light The hills cast green shadows. Where the sun hits rounds and hollows are defined in full clarity. Like the face of love is familiar, cherished in kin we recognise. Yet the hills cast long shadows green crevices, carved valleys of shade, hidden mysteries without language, shape or form to fill our vision. We look into the dark and are swallowed by immensity, the questions hanging bare unanswered. Instead we learn contentment with the gist of all we know. And the things without language or form, are like the mist that hovers, or the soft rain that settles upon shoulders, as the feathers of a cloak. We do not know we carry, nor what beckons. But from the shadows, something remote resembles us, and looks out to where we stand backlit by the light, and we are known then by all we do not know. And the hills stand as pillars reaching up where we in their midst are encompassed in their house. Though the language and the memories, are not voiced aloud we hesitant guests at the door stand welcome. Ana Lisa de Jong

Ana Lisa

I am a Maori wahine brought up in an environment where te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori was scarce and I want to become fluent in te reo & tikanga Maori. If it was taught/learned/spoken everyday in schools, households and, communities it would make te reo Maori common, fun and easier to learn.

Moneece

It's important to me as I want te reo Maori to be a normal part of kiwi (New Zealanders) life. Where we all can speak fluently and embrace our national culture.

kazz

As a future teacher, I will influence so many young lives and I want to be able to do it for the better. Including tikanga Māori into my teaching is one way I can achieve this.

Tom

To keep our maori culture alive and so we are well connected to it. it’s important that else embrace where we are from and our history.

desharna

There was once so much stigma and negativity towards speaking and learning te reo, now that i am on the journey of learning (and loving it) i want to encourage others and show them how fun and interesting it is to learn the language. While also adhering to the 3 principles of te tiriti, participation, protection and partnership.

Kayleigh

Keep our language alive and thriving. Embracing Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori is important for our past, our present and our future generations. . . karawhiua koutou! !

Alamein

I don’t want my Maori family’s reo to die out because of white entitlement, and supremacy in New Zealand. It’ll start with our Maori brothers and sister, but what makes others think they’ll stop just with just Maori? Will they move onto our other Pacific Islander brothers and sister? My family culture and my family’s reo is important enough to fight for.

Lalagofaatasi

Really want to start learning Te reo as i am kiwi born.

Mark

Because it is my culture

Georgia

E maha ng1a whakaaro māku, engari ko tētahi o ngā mea tino. . . ngā te take e whawhai kaha ana rātou, ā kui mā koro mā i taua wā kia ora ai tō tātou reo.

Margie

It is part of our country's identity and we need to make up fpr the years where people weren't allowed to speak or live Maori.

Deborah
Salita

Honouring and respecting what is essentially New Zealand culture keeps it alive And encourages new learners. I’m a big fan of second language learning and love how it’s awesome to learn new words.

Angela

Keeping te reo alive and thriving.

Sally

Because of my heritage

Crosby

Not being Maori myself, but living in New Zealand it is important to me

Taylor

the University of Auckland is strongly committed to te reo Māori encouraging all staff to learn and use te reo in our everyday work here is our link to our staff development resource. https://www. auckland. ac. nz/en/on-campus/life-on-campus/maori-life-on-campus/revitalising-te-reo-maori. html. https://cdn. auckland. ac. nz/assets/auckland/on-campus/life-on-campus/maori-life/revitalising-te-reo-maori/university-of-auckland-te-reo-plan. pdf

Judy

I love Māori language and culture, but also believe as a kiwi I should be able to read and speak te reo confidently. It is an important part of our being, whakapapa and the history of Aotearoa. As a conservationist, I respect tikanga Māori in that there are multiple practices and understandings of nature, science, our connection with it and its importance to us.

amber

I am currently doing a te reo course through AUT to better my knowledge and understanding. I am committed to te tiriti and know the importance of language being strongly linked to identity and culture. I am a teacher in training and want to be able to support all the children in my care with there cultural identity and empower them to learn te reo.

Christina

To encourage my children to use and love our beautiful reo

Henry

It is a part of me, my being and my spirit. I have already denied myself the knowledge of knowing more by not speaking it fluently. To only know the basics is better than knowing nothing. I am keen to learn more and also help others like me. Carry on the mahi from our Tipuna's. We owe it to them and ourselves to keep the legacy they left us ALIVE! Nga mihi aroha kia koutou katoa

Te Haiata

I want to learn how to korero in te reo and know how to speak it so I can talk on the paepae and for my kids

Pita

Taking part encourages me to keep going, to keep using Te Reo.

Margaret

As a teacher, te reo is at the core of what makes New Zealand unique, what gives it its identity. We have the responsibility to uphold it, to take care of it, nurture it and grow it.

Rachel

For my daughter who uplifts and encourages everyone to speak te reo when they can and at their pace

Colin

My whānau x x x especially my tamariki.

Joanna

To spread and grow te reo

Myra

It's important all New Zealanders understand the importance of our indigenous language and embrace learning at least a little te reo. By taking part I want to encourage others to embrace te reo too.

Juliet

To strengthen and build my connetcion to my culture

pippa

To support my mum in her Te Reo journey.

Ahere

Ka ako ana oku tamahine kei raro i te kaupapa o te kohanga reo. It is only fitting that I make an effort also.

Kelsi

Because I am Maori and the language is important to me

Arwen

Ko te reo Māori te reo tuatahi o Aotearoa!

Val

Its so important we keep Maori Language alive. We will all be richer for it. Kia ora

Cassandra

Cause it's sad that te reo is a dying language we need to keep it alive

Shannon

Know the roots of a country

ginette

My Grandad was Māori I sadly never got the chance to know him or much about where I come from on that side of the family, but I'm still eager to learn all.

Amber

Because te reo is unique to Aotearoa and such an important insight into te ao Māori.

Dale

A language is an element through which a culture expresses itself, therefore keeping a language alive is essential to keep a culture alive. As a bilingual person and an immigrant in Aotearoa I understand how a language is a key element to understand how other people think, act and view the world. Learning te reo māori is a way for me to connect more deeply to the culture and the citizens of this country. It's a way to be better integrated and to expand the ways I see the world.

Daniele

Because its part of Aotearoa

Maree

I want to support my culture in any and every way

Terangi

It is important to celebrate Te Reo which is an integral part of being a New Zealander. I feel strongly about this as I have moved to New Zealand as an adult and enjoyed immersing myself in a new culture and growing to love a place that I now call home.

Gretchen

As I get to an age where mokopuna will be a part of our lives I want more knowledge and confidence in our original language and tikanga for both them and myself.

Heidi

To keep embracing and encouraging the use of Maori anguage and Maoriculture especially for Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori language week.

Jordan

It's about putting myself out there, outside my comfort zone. I want to grow in my Te Reo skill but lack confidence because at the mo', I'm not very good at it - this is an awesome opportunity to step out, for better or worse, as I will be joining many others that are giving it a go. Karawhiua!

Nathan

He mea nui ki a au te whai wāhi atu ki te kaupapa nei hei whakatairanga i tō tātou reo kāmehameha.

Te Akauroa

He puna wai, He puna kai, He puna reo, He puna ora, Ita-a-ita! Like food and water is sustenance for the body, language is sustenance for your culture, without it, the culture would die.

Caitlin

Because its my language and I'm committed to becoming confident and capable.

Serena

I think its imporant to me as I come from maori descent

Harrison

Respect for our indigenous culture. Unique and precious to this beautiful country.

Catherine

To continue the legacy that our tupuna have left for us. To share knowledge and foster Maaori visibility and capabilities at my workplace.

Aleise

Sharing reo while also learning is a passion for me I believe we are the people to raise this language and teaching the next generation.

Christine

As a country with our own indigenous language we are mindful of the importance of one's language for our culture, identity and heritage. And we are proud to support other indigenous cultures and languages. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. A country without a language is a country without a soul.

Embassy of

Māori is lacking within Aotearoa. Let's change that!

Cam

As a wāhine Māori, I believe it's important to maintain the reo of my tīpuna, it's beautiful and unique language, to let it go would be the biggest dishonour ever. Growing up surrounded by Te Reo, I want our tamariki and the future generations to experience the same and for those who didn't get the same opportunities to have that chance

Raiha

I'm on my te reo journey with the wananga o aotearoa so I want to start speaking I also watch maori tv opaki it helps me a lot I can follow the program its interesting basic te reo

Evelyn

Kia kaha te reo Māori

Indie

Te Reo Māori is more than a language - embracing it allows us to begin to understand the wairua of what it means to be Māori. As a non-Māori doctor in Aotearoa, Te Reo adds richly to my work both practically and relationally with patients and whānau.

Hazel

Tena koe Tena korua Tena koutou Kia ora I could go on. What better way to welcome a new day with a simple greeting. I chose to participate because te reo Maori was never spoken in the home. Dad attended a school where the use of te reo Maori was banned and punishable by strapping. I do not want my tamariki and mokopuna to miss untold opportunities to immerse themselves in te reo Maori me ona tikanga. So, I have chosen to immerse them into books, korero and waiata. I studied extramurally through Te Wananga o Waikato under the tutelage of Te Rauhina Te Hau and Wayne Ngata.

Te Rangi Rangi

Maori and proud

Adele Anne

it is important to me to take part because I would like to celebrate and show respect for the Māori community.

alana

My mum has started to do a Te Reo Maori course and has inspired me to learn the language I was born with

Toa

To help encourage others to embrace our beautiful language, to start learning and continue to make it a part of their everyday lifestyle

Mitchell

It is important to me as a New Zealander for us to embrace “our” language. It is my husband and children’s right to be a part of their culture and by speaking Te Reo they can embrace it fully. As a pakeha and a teacher I feel it is my duty to do my best to continue growing our language back to the way it should be! Dual with English.

Katrina

So many reasons. . . commitment to being a bi-cultural society and raising the profile of Te Reo and Te Ao Maori; taking every opportunity to promote Te Reo and Te Ao Maori working towards a progressive, society truly reflective of the Aotearoa we want to see realised! The more we can profile all things Maori the easier it will be become more inclusive, equitable and enriched people.

Katie

Because I have 3 young sons with a Samoan father who is strong in his Reo and Fa'a Samoa. . . . . because I grew up with no Reo and felt disconnected from my people, my land, my culture and myself. . . . because there is a stigma around being Maori, a stigma that i refuse to allow my children to grow up with. . . . because stereotypes SUCK! Because I am a women, an educated women of mana who is raising the future both at home and in my profession. CHANGE starts with me.

Allison

If you live in Aotearoa you should appreciate Te Ao Maori! Te wiki is an easy and fun way to celebrate te ataahua Maori culture.

Natalie

It's a beautiful language and my kids speak it better than me!

Anna

Wanting to learn more about our official language

Emma

To role model to others that māori can be easy n simple and not to feel pressured into being fluent to participate.

Jean

to share the language with my class, to inspire them to use te reo maori with more confidence

Karen

To tautoko kaupapa Maori whenever I can

Erica

He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna ora, ita ita! Maori, their culture and language have been a source of inspiration to me, enriching my life and opening my eyes to new ways of looking after each other and the world. The least I can do is learn and give back - mauri ora!

Shane

To help with health equality and be a good kiwi

Alicia

because I am proud to be Māori

Stacey

To protect Te Reo in Aotearoa ❤️

Laury

Mōku ake nei te waimarie i tupu e au i raro i ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori, i raro i Te tahuhu o Te Aho Matua āno hoki. What’s my why? Kia whakahokia ki te haukainga.

Ao-Tu-Te- Hanga

My why would be its instilled in me its who i am so to be able to reach deep within and bring it to the surface means everything to me. Its means belonging and it means my tupuna heritage hasn't gone unnoticed.

Sophia

Celebrating this significant moment in time is essential for our language to be recognised, valued and to be normalised. The future of our people and our well being will only grow stronger. It makes me feel proud and re-assured as I continue on my own unique journey as a 50yr old Maori women in Aotearoa.

Sheena

I believe that we should all know a little of the language of our country

Jo

I believe te reo is so important. I love the challenge learning and the sense of accomplishment when I can read or understand something in te reo Maori! ! So important for my son as well as next generation of kiwis.

Tania

I want all New Zealanders to be proud to be kiwi's. Proud of our māori culture, regardless if we are pakeha or māori. I want māori to feel that their culture is an important aspect of NZ that is valued, nurtured and seen everywhere.

Vicki

To keep the language alive and part of our taonga of Aotearoa.

Jordan

Any step towards honouring Te Tiriti ō Waitangi is a go in my books!

Jessica

As a Linguistics student, I am aware of the importance of not only keeping this unique language alive, but making sure it thrives. All over the world, native languages are dying out in favour of the mainstream language introduced by colonisation. It is every Kiwi’s responsibility to make sure this doesn’t happen here, which can start with simply making Te Reo a small part of everyone’s daily routine.

Madison

Because it’s such a beautiful language! I feel it’s an important part of my children’s heritage and will do all I can to encourage them to learn and embrace it.

Zoie

It is important to me because of my mokopuna and their mokopuna and the many generations to come. The language is their identity it is their heritage and their inheritance. Taken from the waiata " He Kakano Ahau. . . my language is my strength an ornament of grace" written by Dr Hohepa Tamehana.

Cyndi

If I dont learn Te Reo at my kura I dont know what the staff are saying and I dont know what the community are saying because everyone speaks Maori up here in Panguru. I moved home from Auckland to learn Te Reo so I am living it and breathing it everyday in my mahi and in my community.

Alexia

My identity is important to me. We have lost alot already but if we all did 1 little thing we would grow abundantly.

Mate

Me uaua ka rongo i te reo Māori ki te hapori, ina koa ki Ōtautahi. E nako ana au ki te whakamāoritanga o te reo Māori. Mā tēnei ngohe kotahi miriona tātou e koke whakamua.

Taurapa

My husband is fluent in Te Reo Māori and my baby attends Kohanga Reo. I am a Māori who was born and raised in Australia and was removed from my culture and language growing up and feeling a disconnect in identifying as a Māori wahine and trying to connect to who I am through my Te Reo Māori.

Marion

Its important for because it is apart of who I am, I value who I am and what I am, and that is being a Maori. Also my mum encourages us siblings to learn and know our language

Stormy

A sense of belonging and connecting by using te Reo

Sheryl

I’m Maori and so want to learn this beautiful language. I’ve heard of the Rako method (I think that’s how it’s spelt) but no one in my area teaches that. I’m 65years old and apart from a couple of greetings and a few other words I know nothing. But it’s never too late to learn. . . is it.

Bonnie

Kia noho ora ko te reo maori hei kai puumau mo taku arero, otira hei reo tuatahi mo aku uri e whai ake nei

Hinemaia

It is about honour and respect for Maori, the first people of this land. Also, it is a beautiful language and the children of the future deserve to have this taonga preserved in a lively active state.

Marie

I am from the UK and had very little knowledge of tikanga or te reo Maori before I arrived two years ago. I believe that embracing Maori culture and integrating into the lives of all young New Zealanders is an essential part of the New Zealand curriculum. I have a responsibility to engage my learners with Maori culture and am committed to using te reo Maori as much as possible to support this.

Verity