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'

To keep the Maori language alive and to show our commitment to the bi-cultural diversity in New Zealand

Maya

Because I am Pakeha-Maori not raised te ao Maori, and at 51 am hungry to take back our language - an act of decolonization. To model to my son and to honour my koro - who at age 14 left his language and culture behind because he thought it would make him a 'better more successful' person, who could provide for his family. Kia ora 👍🏼

Marie

I'm pakeha / tauiwi and so glad to be a citizen of Aotearoa, joining in to demonstrate support for our bicultural country!

Ruth (Gordie)

To further show the vitality and significant of Te Reo Maori and to become the one in a million as part of the moment. ?

Sam

To honour the Treaty promises and whakamana Te Reo in our kura.

Deborah

To keep the language alive. I am not Maori, but I am part of a wider whanau and I love and respect them.

Adrienne

I'm not from New Zealand but have lived here for 26 years and proud of how much te reo Māori is used in media and casual conversations (simple greetings and some common phrases). This is not the same in other countries. I know it could be much better so feel that my little effort can help with that.

Kim

There is so much local history in our area that is not widely known. It would be great if my work amtes engaged more with the local area

Jodie

Maori is the official language of NZ. I come from a country where we have 3 official languages and the 3 are spoken frequently. I only know 2 (I actually speak 3 languages) very well, but know few words of the 3rd. And I can't get my head around how anyone can even oppose this. Knowing the language is very important, because this led us to understand the culture, and understanding the culture makes us more accepting of others. I took a 6 months Maori language course but didn't have an opportunity to practice it, so forgot everything, but it was not a waste, I was able to understand the culture more.

houda

It is important for me to take part because I believe it is vitally important for New Zealand to make sure Māorī is spoken widely within the county.

Fiona

To keep Te Reo Māori alive in New Zealand and to honor the treaty.

Annabel

An expression of the power off unity and recognition of the importance of valuing language as a component of identity and connectedness.

Sandra Gabrielle

We are in NZ that is why. A country that has given us so much. . . in return, we need to acknowledge their language and culture. I am proud to be an Indian kiwi . . . being in the NZ education system I have come to know how beautiful our Aoteroa is. The culture is so rich and what I love the most is that the kiwis have always welcomed us with open arms. Ever since I have landed in NZ I have grown a love for the language . . . their songs . . . their haka their myths. Kia kaha te reo

sonam

I want to connect through reo to the children I work with and their teachers

David

It's important for me as a leader, as a Mum and as a New Zealander to be part of an embrace of all parts of our unique culture. I am proud to be a Kiwi and want to learn and group my knowledge to ensure it is kept alive for future generations to come.

Christine

I want to be able to use the language of NZ without being worried I am saying it wrong

Nick

Keeping te reo alive. Its very easy to loose track and purpose. Reminders, challenges, groups etc give meaning of the importance of our culture and where we belong. Instilling in our children so they can carry it with them to the next generation and people and friends around them.

Sammi

I am a New Zealander

Bridget

I was born and have lived my life in Aotearoa. I have a spiritual connection with Southland. When I was nursing in paediatrics and in my current role I work closely with and lead people. To me it is vital that I continiously participate, learn and do my best with te reo Māori.

It's important for me to keep the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand alive. By doing something like this, more people will learn about Te Reo Maori and hopefully decide to learn the language for themselves.

Hazar

Language is lovely. Languages are culture. We are all alike. We are all different. We are all New Zealanders.

Annie

I think it's important to learn the language of the country you live in and not being from New Zealand I would love to learn some Te Reo

Colm

Its important to celebrate and practice our language, this is one of the ways to keep our culture alive forever. This is important to me as not only is this my heritage which I want to uphold and respect for personal reasons, it is the founding culture of this country that we live in and deserves respect. Its important to me to encourage and support others to be comfortable using the language and being involved in Maori events

Zoe

Te reo is a taonga and I've really enjoyed learning it over the last few months in class for the first time since intermediate. Super keen to get involved in anything to do with the reo, promoting it and learning it better myself.

Julia

We have just moved home from Oz after 10years and i feel me and my family need some culture in our lives

Theresa

To honour te tiriti and help work towards a truly bilingual Aotearoa NZ.

Alyce

It is important for me to take part because it will help give me guidance with my whakapapa and culture and will connect me with the atua and my ancestors.

Annika

Te Reo is a passion of mine. I never got to learn as a child and seeing the children around me speak in Te Reo tells me I need to learn and I want to to. As a child myself, we grew up in a society speaking English. To learn Te Reo would add another layer to what defines our beautiful culture.

Darne

It’s important for all New Zealanders, to understand how actively participating in Te Reo Maori benefits the country as a whole. Having Te Reo Maori as one of the official languages of New Zealand, the nation should feel encouraged, and inspired to be apart of a special occasion. This is an opportunity for the people of New Zealand to help revitalise the language and the culture of Maori.

Michael

To deepen my connection with my adopted home - NZ

Esme

He tino pai rawa atu i te ako I ngā kai ó Te Rangatira engari he nui te mahi i te ako tonu ahau Kia whakapakari ai to tātou reo hei whakamarama a korero, a tuhi, a waha o te Reo Māori me ona tikanga.

Demelza

To do this alongside with my students

Paige

As a Pakeha born in NZ it's important to me to know and speak the indigenous language of NZ, as it should be for all New Zealanders.

Philippa

Te Reo Maori is a the original language of New Zealand. I think it is important for this beautiful language to survive and continue to be used. I really value this language and I want to help and be apart of keeping it alive.

Rita

Te Reo is an intricate part of who we are as NZers, we should embrace the language more and particularly in a school environment.

Wendy

Te Reo is part of who we are and how we engage with others and explain and discuss the world around us.

Abby

As one of our official languages it is important to keep Te Reo Māori alive. To do this it needs to be used by as many people as possible.

David

To support Te Reo

Angie

In honor of my whanau, especially my grandpa, he had beautiful te reo. He spoke with a soft tone and aroha and humility. I want to help keep our Maori heritage alive for generations to come.

Cydell

I want to increase my knowledge of te reo Māori and help revitalise the language for all New Zealanders.

Judith

To make Te reo Māori a living language within our school.

Kasey

Our group is leading this and to tautoko the kaupapa.

Parani

It's important to me because I believe that in partnership with Māori New Zealand will succeed, and as a pākehā in that partnership learning and respecting te ao Māori is my responsibility.

Hamish

I immigrated to Aotearoa (from Canada) in 2003 however, as my partner and tamariki whakapapa to Ngāti Rongomaiwaihine, I want to celebrate and grow te reo Māori and tikanga in our whare. Since completing tuara 1 & 2 with Te Ataarangi, I am proud to kōrero with my whānau in te reo as well as confidently sing along to waiata, recite karakia and my pepeha.

Tara

Because te reo is part of what makes us kiwi's so by taking part we wish to show our community that we support the ongoing learning journey of the nation. And it sounds like an amazing feat to have so many people involved in this wā! Kia kaha te reo Māori!

Joanne

Simply for the revitilisation of our Reo. I have been incorporating reo in to the day to day happenings of our office since starting and Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori and Te Wa Tuku Reo has been a great way to step it up again!

Alana

This is my language, my culture and and growing up my grandparents were fluent in te reo, but because of their traumas from their past they were very clear in not teaching us because they would worry for us in that we would be treated the same as they were back in their day. So we never learnt our language. Now I have kids and together we are learning our language and seeing the beauty it holds we just want more! ! !

Bille

To enable all citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand to have the opportunity to learn Te Reo Maori has the potential to enrich everyone's lives.

Roy

We value te reo Māori as one of the official languages of Aotearoa. We want our students and staff to have the opportunity to be part of nationwide recognition of this beautiful language that is part of who we are.

Jacqui

the language is the key to the history of our culture and NZs pathway

Dagmar

It's important for me to take part as my children are Maori (I am pakeha); and I want to keep their culture alive by learning to use Maori greetings, understand tikanga and use correct pronunciation.

Adrienne

My journey of te Reo is about sharing and learning and building my confidence

Jenny

I am a teacher and I would like to use more greetings, songs and commands in my classroom.

Catherine

It’s up to us to continue our language. If we don’t do it, who else will? We (māori) have a ātaahua culture that deserved to be shared and loved with many! Pākeha, non pākeha and māori as one. He whānau kotahi tatou 😎

Avalon

I enrolled for 2020 year to learn Te Reo at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa , unfortunately I didn't get a space on the course but I am on the waitlist and hope to get a space for next year. I work with a lot of Maori patients and would like to be able to have some communication with them in Te reo. Plus I am a kiwi and we should all be able to speak the language that is native to our country.

Karyn

Because I am half Maori. And I love Ye Reo maori. Even though I can't speak alot. . it will always be in me.

Maxine

I'd like my tamariki to have some identity that includes te ao maori.

Zara

To understand the history of binational partnership, first step is to learn the spirit and soul behind the language. To envision united country, embedding language is key. NZ need to overcome ‘māori’ / non-māori’ division. Not just for pākiha but māori people to find ways to help non-māori people to embrace the culture. If customs are not used correctly, please do not tell people off (graphic images, words). . we are trying to unite but it doesn’t help if we are told off when it’s not ‘perfectly correct’. .

Makiko

Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi te whenua. I would like to participate in activities that strengthen the Maori culture.

Layne

Being new to New Zealand I want to learn about it’s people and culture. Bringing people together and showing respect and care is something I believe will create a harmonious community and something I would like to be a part of. And I love learning new languages!

It is a good time for me to learn more te reo and become comfortable using it in my everyday life.

Olwen

Kia mahorahora te reo Maori

Paula

This is an important historic event that began a revival for Te Reo Mãori.

Katherine

Reo is apart of who I am as Maaori.

Krista

Understanding

Julie

Keep the language alive, culture, customs alive. Especially with a lot of different nationalities entering NZ who have little understanding.

Joelene

Toku reo toku ohooho

Nerys

To help preserve this Taonga for generations to come

Megan

Its part of who I am. And I want my tamariki to learn who they are and where our people came from.

Ata

Te reo is such a beautiful language with a lot of meaning behind it. As one of our official languages, it's important to keep learning and including te reo in my daily korero so I continue to play my part in supporting equitable outcomes.

Fiona

Its the language of the people of this country and its important that we all learn. This is my fourth year learning

Dee

Because we need to encourage others and it gives me another opportunity to do this. Also my reo will develop too.

Phobie

Te Reo Maori is a critical aspect of our heritage as a nation. By supporting, encouraging, learning and using we are showing how proud we are of its uniqueness and doing our part to protect this taonga.

Louise

Cos my daughter is and I want to learn how to speak the reo

Stacey

Te reo is a taonga of Aotearoa- it is imperative that we learn it and keep it alive.

Sarah

As a school we are proud to be supporting Te Reo Māori. Our staff have been learning Te Reo a few years ago, and are still using greetings in everyday conversation. I took up whakairo last year, and hope to introduce this into our project based curriculum in 2022. The first stage of this will be giving our students opportunities to identify their whakakpapa through the use of Kowhaiwhai. I have undertaken this journey myself last year. (see picture)

Anthony

Because our whole ahua here n aotearoa revolves around aroha and tikanga. We can’t lose ours in the rep Maori because it is most pure.

Roy

Wanting to be a māmā myself, I want to be able to pass down our beautiful language and culture and have it continue through our family for generations to come.

Sasha

My children are Maori

Hollie

Kia ora! The why is that Māori is the official teo reo of Aotearoa, and every child should as a matter of course through our education system be bilingual in both Māori and English.

Charlotte

I love speaking with my Dad

Hawaiki Ka’iulani

The other night my daughter woke up at 2 am crying. I was exhausted. . . she cried out Miraka, Miraka, Miraka, I awoke smiling and got her some Miraka. My daughter and I love our te reo Maori journey. We talk everday and it makes us happy

Hawaiiki

I am pakeha New Zealander. Most of my whanau are Maori. Have always tried to use some te reo. Can certainly do better

Colleen

For me it be because I would like to learn my language with my children/moko. . . Learning about my whole whakapapa. . . Learning our tikanga of the lands, seas & protocols. . .

Katrena R

To preserve and celebrate Maori heritage.

Imee

It’s my culture. It’s my identity. It connects me to my tupuna and whenua. I want to keep our reo alive so my Tamariki and mokopuna can learn it and thrive.

Anania

I did not have the opportunity to even decide for myself if I wanted to learn Te Reo Maori as I grew up. I actually didn't know I had Maori ancestry back then. Now I live in a beautiful community where I hear it spoken in the street, a natural part of every day life. It makes my heart smile. I'd love to see all New Zealanders comfortable with this unique and beautiful language.

Kristin

The love and proud of being Māori and to guide the next generation of my whānau

Jonathan

For my kids

Heather

It’s important for me because it helps form & maintain my connection with my father.

Joan-Ella

I learnt Maori as a second language but have been overseas for almost 20 years. I am a teacher's college graduate who majored in bilingual studies and Te Reo and taught in bilingual settings. I have lost so much and feel almost guilty that I now speak better German than Maori. So, time to get back into Kaupapa Maori - first step - Te Reo

Malcolm

My tamariki and being able to connent them with their whakapapa! Stoking the fire! Adding to my Māoritanga journey ❤️

Diane

I feel Te Reo is a desire of mine to learn. I want to be part of this movement here in Aotearoa.

Heather

The first language of Aotearoa should be te reo. I am learning or re-learning the language but am finding it difficult to find intuitive resources to improve reading and translation skills. For example, te reo is not a featured language on any of major language app platforms. Most resources are are stuffy, academic and at times, religious, with outdated language and usage. Also, we must focus on the language, and not think that singing a song, or memorising a karakia is progresss, we must create pathways to fluency (spoken, reading and writing).

Jerry

For the next generation ❤️ To keep the language and culture alive and bright.

Natasha

Ae tika! Our reo is very unique. For me that reason is because from our reo comes the pūrākau which guides us. From our reo is our connection to te ao Māori, ngā atua, ngā hau e wha me tātou whānau, regardless of where we all are (physically, mentally, spiritually). It upholds a sense of belonging and a greater well being within us to be able to korero Māori and allows te iwi Māori to stay true and stand strong and humble as we strive to learn generations of knowledge through our unique reo.

Carmela

Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi te whenua

Annie

I would love use of our language to become part of our every day home and work lives. We missed out on this as children, as did my Dad and regaining it would add so much richness to our lives. Photo of me and my beautiful Gabrielle Te Aria

lynda

As time moves forward, many beautiful things begin to slowly trickle to a halt from what was once a giant stream. Language, culture and whanau should stay strong within the flow of a stream for as long as we can hold onto it.

Chris

Toku reo toku mapihi maurea WAIRUA

Wai