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've just had a daughter and more than ever I want her to grow up acknowledging her maori whanaunga. I missed out on it alot growing up and felt like I lost the right to identify as maori even though I cleary "look" like one.

Taryn

As an educator I believe it's part of my commitment to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi to korero mai and play my part in making the reo visible and valued as our national language. It is also important to me as I watch my wife struggle with her identify as a māori woman having be dissociated from that part of her culture and heritage. I would also love to be able bless my tamariki with the gift of the reo.

Jamee

Because Te reo Maori is an important part of NZ

Sophie

It so is important to be apart of this kaupapa because Our Reo Our Te Ao Māori was taken from us . . . We missedout on being taught in fear that our kaumatua mokopuna will be scorned and beaten. . . So. . . This strategy is the WAY TO REVITALIZE TE AO MĀORI, TE REO RANGATIRA for our Pakeke who missed out and especially for our tamariki mo apopo. . . TUKUA KIA RERE . . . Also this gives the opportunity to teach our work colleagues. You already have the video that i helped make. SOUNZ (Toni Huata) Be coolies for a pack of Masks btw😂

Kelly

I'm a kiwi, Te Reo Māori is an official language of my country, yet I can't speak it. I want to learn more, I want it to be compulsory in schools (I wish it had been for me), I want to be able to speak to my wahine Māori clients (I'm a midwife) in te reo if that's what they feel most comfortable conversing in.

Charlotte

I have for years ignored my tikanga because of the lifestyle I inhabited I cared little for my Whenua at a young age and now in my 30s have realised I don't know myself because of this. I'm still trying to learn te reo myself (I will be fluent) but In the past 8 months I have done research (on my own and with whanau) about my iwi (te atiawa) and I'm finally watching our culture grow in so many ways. I will never go back to my ignorance and will always put my name down for anything that I see as educational to myself and to our Maoridom. Nga mihi 🖤

Levi

I love languages and having migrated from Malaysia 3 years ago I think you should know Maori to live in NZ. And hopefully by speaking the language there will be more respect and understanding for the culture and it's people. I am super shocked by the amount of racism Maori people here receive, not juz by Pakeha but also the immigrant community!

Lindah

I want to hear te reo maori being spoken everywhere, not just at wananga and kura. So if Aotearoa can get to one million (hopefully more than that) speakers of te reo then I think that could actually happen, to hear maori in everyday conversation and in any and every location throughout Aotearoa

Kelly

I never got the chance to know my roots my culture outlet te reo I wann be able pass that on to my children

Kristin

Naaku tamariki. Naaku whaanau. Naa te anamata. To ensure our future generations continue to grow te Reo Maaori so all New Zealanders Maaori and non Maaori can speak te Reo but also appreciate the culture

Liz

Promote our beautiful language.

David

It is who we are!

Hemi

Want to continue my hikoi into te reo and understand more when at the pā, and for e tama mā.

Emma

To strengthen our identity as tangata whenua in Aotearoa and to share the beauty of our reo

Natasha

Because I would love to teach the up and coming generations of what I was taught from my tupuna

Kura

Whilst I am not of Maori descent my husband and baby boy are. I want to honour them and their whakapapa by raising our boy with a knowledge and understanding of his culture and language. I wonder what New Zealand would be like if more people, who like me, had culturally diverse families back and would have stood up for their beautiful Maori family members and their right to live their culture and use their language. So I am standing up for my husband, my boy and all of those who were discouraged to embrace and take pride who they are.

Laura

My taua never got to speak te reo Māori, so I will for her.

Emily

Supporting growth in culture

Vali

I was born in NZ and I feel that it is essential for us as a nation to embrace our culture, learn Te Reo, learn where and what we are. When I was younger Te Reo was taught in my school then it stopped and I wasn’t sure why and I feel sad and ashamed that it happened and I feel that every Kiwi regardless of nationality should learn Te Reo!

Vanessa

To feel connected to my culture and Te Reo. To korero more and learn more and fill my Kete. Loving the hype this week and discovering meaningful whakatauki.

Joanna

I was born in NZ and I feel that it is essential for us as a nation to embrace our culture, learn Te Reo, learn where and what we are. When I was younger Te Reo was taught in my school then it stopped and I wasn’t sure why and I feel sad and ashamed that it happened and I feel that every Kiwi regardless of nationality should learn Te Reo!

Kristin

Ko tōku reo tōku ohooho Ko tōku reo tōku māpihi maurea Ko tōku reo tōku whakakai mārihi Ko te Reo Māori te mana o tōku ao

Norbryn

I want to learn my culture

Robert

So I can help my son to grow and learn about his Maori heritage and for him to be able to speak to his family.

Simone

I feel now is the right time for me to start my journey. I've been talking about it & wanting to do it for years, but other life choices meant that I put the idea on the back burner until now. The time feels right for me. I want that connection with my whanau, my ancesters and whakapapa. I want the confidence to stand up in the front of my Iwi and korero in Te Reo Maori, which I always wanted to do instead of feeling embarrassed. I want to show my children that its not to late to learn our native language, to keep taking on challenges and keep learning.

Dean

Because being Māori is a huge part of who we are, and what makes New Zealand what it is. We need to bring it back for the generations that are walking around as half of themselves because they don’t know where they belong, and bring it back for future generations to be the best of who they are. There’s so much more I could go on forever but that’s the first thing that came to my mind at this second.

Kaylajayne

Māori language is one of New Zealand’s treasures and an exciting new language learning adventure!

Lane

I want to be able to eventually be a speaker on the marae to represent taku whānau.

Hetz

As an Early Childhood Teacher in training, it is so important that we uphold our bicultural curriculum and ensure the Māori language not only survives but thrives.

Kester

Learning te reo helps me better understand my own culture and feel my place in my culture, a belonging.

Natasha

Because I've lived in countries that push down the first nations cultures, and I don't want that to happen here. I want to help Maori culture shine. I also love the culture and language and would love to be able to understand it when it's spoken or written!

Kyreena

Our culture and our language is who we are. If I can help to support a language from becoming lost, I will. Plus, I love the language and have friends who are fluent, I would love to converse with them in their language.

Deborah

Because I've lived in countries that push down the first nations cultures, and I don't want that to happen here. I want to help Maori culture shine. I also love the culture and language and would love to be able to understand it when it's spoken or written! The blog post slug for this story is: kyreena_-_auckland

Kyreena

New Zealand is home, and what more can make me feel closer to home, is learning the language. Te Reo Maori feels very special to me because it always makes me feel connected to the history and nature.

Marina

Since we are living in New Zealand, and Maori is one of the 3 official Languages, everyone should at least know how to say Kia Ora or Tena Koe, so they have the basic's of Maori done. I am also part Maori so whenever I go to my Marae, everyone around me talking in Maori so I really want to be able to understand and speak at the least a sentence in Maori.

Marie

As a young New Zealander I truly think Te reo Maori is a big part of New Zealand, because without Te reo what will New Zealand be? We would of all been colonized by the British and te reo maori would have been forgotten. Even though I may not be maori that doesn't mean I can't represent or take part in something so big for New Zealand. I once heard someone say Te reo maori brings the iwi in kiwi. I decided to take part in Te wiki o te reo because I didn't want my countries culture to be lost and forgotten. Thank you

Lisieni

Because I wan't to learn more about Te Reo.

Flynn

So That it is and Will Always Be Passed Down Generation to Generations

Christopher Teaohou

Language is the bridge to ones mind and soul. To better understand a culture, learning its language brings more depth than just descriptive words on paper

Inoke

I want to be a part of the change, not the problem. I think Maori culture is an important part of being a New Zealander and that it should play a much bigger role in our daily lives, not be locked away or kept out of daily aspects of life. I think doing is what keeps people on the fringes and normalising Maori culture would make a huge difference in making a more diverse and inclusive community in New Zealand.

Abby

Kia ora my name is hola i am tongan and the reason why i want to take part because i want to learn te reo maori hopefully i convinced you that i could learn te reo maori thank you for listening.

Hola

Because I believe in reclaiming the language that was lost. I believe it’s important to have better understanding and relationships of why Māori do what they do from their ancestors and the true history is also important. It’s confidence building and instills belonging, traditions and sharing. And it’s unique! My friends and children speak it, so would good to be more confident in responding. There are new words evolving since I started over 30 yrs ago and a lot more resources and speakers it’s fantastic! Tino rangatiratanga

Jody

Because I am proud to be Maori. I will join any kaupapa, that supports our culture. KIA ORA! !

Boone

Because I'm a New Zealander, and through learning the language of my tangata whenua, we learn about te ao maaori, tikanga maaori, and how to care for us as a country in regards to our environment, and other treasures, like the hearts of all of the people.

Gabrielle

I’m hopeless with learning any language, but I don’t want my kids to be like me. It’s good to become part of NZ’s history and heritage; I don’t want my kids missing out because of my lack of knowledge.

Chantal

Te reo Maori is a beautiful language that to me is an important part of our identity as a country. It describes the land and therefore connects us all more deeply with it, with our indigenous community and gives a sense of belonging to, not just in, the land.

Katie

Te Reo is connection to culture, and land, to my past, present & future

Penny

To pass down our ways as I wasn't shown it's been a long journey to get to where I am

Jonathan

The Māori culture is part of NZ and plays an important role in our history and our future - I hate the thought of this culture dying out and while I am not Māori I want to do my part to make sure we don't loose this culture. I learnt the Pākeha perspective when I was at uni, but I learnt so much more from my ex partner, who is Māori and speaks fluent Te Reo. Te Reo is a beautiful language and I want to do what I can to ensure it remains alive in our country.

Sharon

I feel as though I owe it to myself, my kids, my community and country and fellow NZ'ers to do what I can to support and grow Te Reo

Michael

I am maori and I know more japanese and spanish than my own language. I think its important for me to start learning Te reo so I can learn more about my language and share with my little boy and encourage him to learn as well.

Leighton

It’s the language of our Tangata whenua and the nurturing of it is important in decolonising Aotearoa. I want to learn te reo Māori to reconnect with Te Ao Māori, with my whakapapa and my culture, as these ties have been lost in my whānau over the past few generations.

Jasmine

I am maori. Proud of my culture but also embarrassed that I can not confidently speak the reo.

Roland

It's important because my generation was disconnected from the language and successive governments have never had the courage to make te reo compulsory in schools. I don't want the next generations of my family to miss out on the different ways of thinking and understanding the world that te reo brings. By becoming a proficient speaker I can help my children and grandchildren connect into te Ao Māori.

Leah

It's important to learn Māori for me, I'm getting older and have little knowledge of the Reo. It's very important, the recognition of the Rangatahi of Aotearoa to have the Reo in all schools and to teach our history to all children, so when they grow up they have an insight of what really happened to our people. It is important they are able to see what happened in the coming of the Pakeha to our Whenua, the wars and all injustices that have and are still being inflicted on our people. With the teaching of the Reo and the correct teachings of our History, only then the young Pakeha will have a better insight to what happened to us and why our People are dominant in jail and are benefit dependent . The old Pakeha will die . . . Ana. . , their children we must teach with kindness and most of all honesty. With this insight we have a good chance of a prosperous life together. Kia Kaha Te Hikoi O Te Reo Maori Mike Gordon.

Michael

I never got the chance to know my roots my culture outlet te reo I wann be able pass that on to my children

Tarita

I really want to help people become absorbed and involved in Te Reo. I also want to find speakers who I can practice talking the language with. I don't want the language to die out!

Peter

I am new to New Zealand and beginning to learn Te Reo has taught me of the deep cultural and spiritual significance of this country. I am grateful for all of the people willing to share their culture with me and teach me their language. 💛

Sara

I am a 5th generation new zealander with a passion and love for this land . my dream is that we will unite and take care of Papatuanoku. to be in harmony and to understand our differences so we may celebrate the uniqueness that is Aotearoa . x

Jackie

I would like my children to grow up hearing and speaking te reo.

Megan
mereana

Learn a new language. . learn the language of my new home

Kaushal

I am a proud Kiwi and part of this is being able to speak te reo Māori in my opinion. Additionally, learning a new language is an exciting yet challenging goal!

Teresa
Kristal

Its who I am. . Who I want to be

Kelsey

It is my heritage and my love

Nygella

As a child I spoke fluently, as time went by and those who spoke with me passed on, so did my ability to speak te reo. I would love to learn the language again and teach it to my children.

Sylvia

i want to one more person learning te reo as i think that te reo māori should be spoken more and in our day to day to life’s

Jane

I have chose to make my home in Aoteroa, as part of that there is a definite obligation to do my part in keeping the key parts of this land. Te reo is one of those key parts. I also think that if new Zealanders see a foreigner making an effort then they will feel more comfortable in doing so too.

Rachel

As a manuhiri myself I believe that it is important to respect the tāngata whenua and to learn their tikanga, their reo and about the history to be able to create a better future.

Ina

knowledge is power. I work in Healthcare and work alongside maori so knowing more kupu would be beneficial

Bodiene

Our daughter's husband is part Maori and we want to be able to help our grandkids to speak Te Reo and help normalise it in their lives. ie if all the people in their lives know a bit of Te Reo it will seem more normal to them. We have plenty of time they haven't arrived yet

Christine

I feel so disconnected to our culture. I wishs I could speak and understand te reo for myself and my children. I feel it is a big part of me missing. My kids love kapahaka and listening to people speaking maori . I also would love to get my kauae alongside my partner whenever he decides the time is right to get his moko done and before this happens I should have knowledge on my culture and language first.

Bryanna

I don't have any confidence about trying to correctly say any names or words in te reo and I would like to start before I have mokopuna

Kristin

I would love to participate for not only myself, for my whanau, friends & future children who need to learn about our culture, language and how our ancestors lived. This is important for all of us! It should be the main language in NZ education beside English language. WE need to do this for our future.

Bry

Returning back from living in USA for 4 years I didn’t realise how patriotic I became. Since returning I have an admiration for our Maori and the importance of passing the culture and language continuing down through the generations so this will not be lost or forgotten. I have just completed a Cultural & Competency paper and would now like to learn the language. ( I’m in my early 50’s )

Nicola

It's important for me to learn because my mum was a fluent speaker but was whipped at school for speaking Maori. I want to learn it for my own purposes.

Connie

To encourage my tamahine to be proud of her taha Maori.

Jody

I love my students ❤ and I want to understand them on a deeper level. I also want them to know i have respect for them and their culture. I believe it will help me develop stronger relationships and make a difference for our kids

Michelle

To learn more Maori to support me in my role in Ece implementing Maori language with our younger generation to pay respect to NZs Maori heritage and support Maori learners

Philippa

Simple- I'm a kiwi, māori underpins our nation.

Luke

Ko te Reo Maori te Reo Rangatira!

Lee

I notice that the children in my classroom really enjoy learning Te Reo Māori and it adds much more to their learning. We have been learning together. This week we have been learning - Kei Te aha Te Taima? in Te Reo Māori and English.

Clare

Te Reo Maori he herenga ki ahau ki te whenua, te rangi, te moana, nga awa, nga ngahere, nga manu, nga ika, nga ngangara. Te reo Maori is an offical language of Aotearoa. Pakeha who speak Te Reo are more likely to feel more of a connection and love for te whenua me nga tangata Maori.

Kristin

Maori is an official language of Aotearoa so why not

Natalie

Because I want to learn another language and Maori is an increasingly relevant one.

Mario

Absolute passionated by NZ culture, my partner and I are thriving to learn te reo .

Rafa

Don't want to lose my culture

Monty

To never forget my maoritanga and encourage others.

Whaiora

I owe it to my whakapapa and myself. It's part of connecting to who I am.

Tash

Great idea. The more people involved, the better.

Claire

Reo Maori is encoded with awesome guiding principles I like to apply to life. It is a whakapapa connection to those who have gone. . . a taonga for those who are yet to come.

Gaylene

To honour the culture

Ruth

To promote te reo Maori /language as a human right for people with disabilities

Mershen

To embrace my culture

Harmony

Ko te reo tōku ohooho Ko te reo tōku māpihi maurea

Shanna

Kia Ora Whanau! Ko Simon Meikle tenei. No Ngati Pakeha ahau. I have studied just one year at Te Wangana but several studying Chinese and Indonesian. Te Reo Maori is a treasure indeed with its roots going way back to the earliest civilisations, It contains genius and profound wisdom. It opens up doors and insights into being a human. Kia Ora!

Simon

I have always been fascinated by the similarities of the Maori and Pacific languages with the Filipino languages. I believe that learning another language allows me to connect better with the people and widens my perspective and understanding of the world.

Lynnie Ann

To have a greater understanding, and be confident in my pronunciation.

Carol

I'm learning its a part of who I am, I'm learning to connect with my whakapapa, I'm learning to connect with papatuanuku. My ability to speak fluently is a way off, but I will stay the course and hopefully overcome my shyness to speak openly in te reo maori one day. . . soon.

Melanie