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'

Thank you for this oppprtunity. It feels like a moment to join a celebration and mark a moment. I am married to a Kiwi and five years ago in September 2015 I came with him here to his Motherland, to make Aotearoa my home. Its a big journey to leave land and whanau behind and to grow a sense of belonging and turangiwaewae in a new land. Learning Te reo Māori connected to our local marae here in Golden Bay; and all that comes with learning such a beautiful language, has been part of what enables me to grow roots here. I delight in the waiata and karakia and the way in which I feel the connection between language, land and community so tangibly in the cadences and rhythms of Te reo Māori.

Diane

Na te Koretake o te kāwanatanga, e aukatingia te reo Māori, e kore e tāea ō tātou mātua tūpuna, te kōrero. Anā, kua huri te tai. Ināianei. . . . . Ka tāea. Nō reira. . . . . . Me karawhiua e tātou 👍

Desarae

Te Reo is a beautiful language but also embodies the maori world view and maori culture. Having Te Reo spoken early in life and continuing through keeps the New Zealand language alive. I know how language can thrive when immersion is able to happen. My son and his lovely French wife live in Norway. Everyday they and my two young grandchildren converse in French, English and Norwegian depending on who they are conversing with. I would love to see Te Reo spoken in everyday life.

Denise

My mum was never able to learn her mother tongue of te reo Māori but she always shared with us the beauty and strength of our culture while raising us. It's always been a goal of mine to learn our language so that I can connect more with my whakapapa and I've finally started this year. Not only am I connecting more with my ancestry, I'm able to show love and gratitude for my mum and what she taught me by teaching her what I'm learning about the language.

Delphia

I want to learn the language of my people, to teach others, and kōrero in my home and workplace

Dee

Te reo Maori has managed to hang in there against immense odds. It is beautiful and unique and precious and I want to play a small part in acknowledging it as taonga.

Deborah

To become more aware of who I am as Maori, embrace, speak proudly and encourage

deborah

Because we are committed to bi-cultural practice in our organisation, and want our workplace to be response to the needs of Maori.

Deb

My son speaks te reo

Dawn

We are one nation made of so many groups. I want to learn more te reo Maori to connect further with our historic and present relationships and understanding.

Dawn and Geoff

To enhance what my whānau already know.

Davina

We owe it to Tangata whenua

David

Te reo Maaori is a taonga and is an important part of NZ's identity

David

Being Māori it’s important for me and my whanau our values in who we are where we come from the aroha we have for each other and those that are important to us

Daphne

Im maori but have never had the chance to learn correctly. Feel confident in myself when being greeted by other maori members. But to be able to learn without being criticized by other non maori. I grew up in the 70s in a pakeha area with prejudice against maori. So the last 2 years i have really wanted to learn. Know who i am. . . i am maori and proud. And i want to learn even at 53yrs.

Dale

Because Reo Māori is a big part of the NZ culture

Dahnie

Dont want apart of my identity ro be lost. . me kaha tatau ki te korero te reo maori, ka tu tahi tatau mo ake tonu atu. .

Cyndi

So my children and moko will learn te reo and continue to keep there ti kanga. Te Reo Maori is only native to NZ and should be kept as part of our identity. We should all learn Te Reo at schools

Craig

Language is a huge part of culture and identity. It's something that helps us understand each other. Te reo Māori has always been something I've loved and wanted to upskill on. The more people who love and speak the language, the more it thrives, and NZ can do with a thriving understanding of each other.

Clementine

NZ is Maori and Maori is the Native language and people’s of the land. This 1 week is for all to magnify this but it should be acknowledged by normal everyday NZers as it’s a part of this country’s history, current situation and future.

Claudia

For me it is important to take part to celebrate te reo Māori for the beautiful language that it is and to show support for all our rangitahi, kaiako and whanau who work tirelessly to keep the language and Māori identity true and alive. I will be singing for and with the people in solidarity.

Cindy

One of the things our culture taught me is that people matter. Gatherings with people involved food, song & connecting one bone to another. However over the years working and raising a family in Melbourne we’ve lost this. I hope we can show our tamariki and mokopuna how beautiful our culture is and that people matter more than anything else. God created man and woman so they may never be alone. I believe our culture nurtures and demonstrates this beautifully.

Chris & Kiri

I believe that Te Reo is part of New Zealand history and it is important for our next generation to learn Te Reo and Maori history. I love learning languages and since starting my career in Ruatoria, where I was supported to use Te Reo and grew to love the language and culture. I want to bring the knowledge that I have to others in my school now and grow the love for Te Reo and being able to converse in it and understand it.

Cheryl
Cheryl

To re connect with my maoritanga and whakapapa The blog post slug for this story is: chapman_-_martinborough_mex_o07s3hhfefidr0bxva

Chapman

For me Te reo Maori is a central component of Māori culture, and an important aspect of participation and identity. It also forms part of the broader cultural identity and heritage of New Zealand.

Cesar Jr

To keep this beautiful reo alive, as well as consolidating my own learning while encouraging others to learn.

Cathy

Because te reo is a taonga we need to practice to keep it alive

Catherine

I have alway loved the Maori language so much and one of my biggest regrets is not taking Maori at school. I know it is not to late to learn and am trying to learn new words every day aswell as taking every opportunity to learn.

Cassy

The resurgence and societal re-acceptance of te reo as a living language is beautiful to behold.

Carrie

I love the language and poetry of what i hear translated. The grammer - as far as I got in an informal Te Ataarangi course some people kindly gave for some months - was logical and clear.

Carolyn

Ka kōrero, ka moemoeā tātou . . . . nā konā, ka taea e tātou te whakakaha o to tātou reo! Nau mai tātou katoa, whai wāhi, moemoeā!

Carolyn

I would like to learn words and phrases and become more knowledgeable and confident

Caroline

I came from the UK 10 years ago, and always try to learn new words and greetings from my students. I feel it is important I learn from my students about their culture and language, it helps to build positive relationships plus I get to know my students and their interests. I feel the students appreciate me trying and it helps to build a respectful and caring relationship with them and their whanau.

Caroline

To be a good role model for the next generation and make sure they know how important Te Reo Maori is, on this day and every day.

Carmen

Because our language is beautiful and should be celebrated and shared everyday! Normalising our reo is the best way forward i think!

Candace

Because I think that it is important that we educate people on the native language of New Zealand so we can keep it alive

Caleb

It is a privilege to learn and use te reo, and to be able to journey into te ao Māori. We do so sharing the government’s goal to see all New Zealanders speaking basic te reo by 2040, and for our goal to be the best Te Tīriti partners we can be.

Caitlin

Te Reo is a vital part of our culture as Kiwis and all of us as citizens should be embracing, learning and celebrating this as one.

Caitlin

Keep Maori culture alive

Nic

We want to show our support by helping to keep the language alive in our Pre-School.

Rachel

I’m Pākehā, and I wish my ancestors hadn’t moved to Aotearoa the way they did, stealing land that could have been happily shared (if they weren’t such dicks). I’m on a journey to become a better Treaty partner, to learn how to be proud to be Pākehā. I think language is one of the ways we express ourselves, and that what we say and how we speak is fundamental to shaping our thoughts and identity. I want to learn te reo Māori because it’s a beautiful language, and because I think learning it is vital to becoming the person I want to be.

Brydie

To show our support for Te Reo Māori and The Treaty of Waitangi. To encourage a spirit of unity and cooperation.

Bronwyn

We want to protect Te Reo Māori, speak Te Reo Māori and teach Te Reo Māori our tamariki

Bronte

Because that’s who we are

Brodie

As a professional working with tamariki Māori it is important to me to know, understand and awhi their Māoritanga, including te reo. As tauiwi/pākehā I have an obligation to ensure that I am culturally aware of how I work with Māori whānau. To kōrero Māori would be a way to show my deep respect for tangata whenua & their culture.

Brianna

Te Reo is a key part of being a New Zealander so we should take as many opportunities as we can to practice. Our team is also involved in a lot of projects to improve equity for Māori so learning more about the language and Tikanga helps us engage better in this work.

Bret

It’s who I am

Brent

to normalise our culture and learn Te reo

Braxton

Love learning and speaking the reo!

Brandy

To get to know about the Maori culture better.

Binam

I manage the sustainability and social outcomes team at my work place. I feel that in order to deliver meaningful outcomes for the people of Aotearoa, I need to know the language (or at least some basic words), understand their culture, their past, and their aspiration for the future. I am also a mum of two beautiful girls, and I want them to have appreciation of other culture, language and traditions.

Bernice

Te Reo Māori is such a beautiful language and as someone who is the first in a long line to not speak it natively I think it's super important to learn and bring back that history

Becky

He whakahirarawa mō te wairua te hinengaro te tinana ki te ako ki te whakaatu te reo me ōna tïkanga a kuia mä a Koro mä kia haere kotahi ai a tätou ki roto i te aō hurihuri nei

Bebe

to not lose any more knowledge, and revitalise my learning

barry

Ko te reo Maori toku poutoko manawa. Ki runga, ki raro ki nga taha e rua ko te reo Maori e rere ana. Ko te reo Maori kia aio.

Atareta

So for me it's important that we normalize the speaking of our own language. By breaking those barriers around speaking te reo. As someone who has fair skin and a full blooded sister who has dark skin, we have been treated different from those around us we interact with or looked at differently. Yet I'm the one who would try korero as much te reo as I know. Some people look and say "but your white why do you speak Maori". Ignorance is what we try and get rid of and normalizing our language for all our people is our goal.

Ashliegh

I'm not of Maori decent but I believe Te Reo Maori is important for all New Zealander's to learn as it is unique to our country and culture. I find that knowing some simple words help connect me further to my clients that I work with in healthcare and rehabilitation.

Ashley

I think it's important because its a New Zealand national language and its important to acknowledge our history. Māori people should have their native language respected and continue to use it in order to uphold their identities and all their cultural practices. It is important!

Ashleigh

All NZ children should have the opportunity to learn Te Reo

Anthea

As a New Zealander there is nothing more important

Annie

I did a year of Te Reo in 2019 - and I am loving learning more and more about Tikanga Maori. The aroha and respect, that is deeply imbedded in so many Maori protocols, really resonate with me. I am positive, that if more Tikanga was taught in our nga kura, right from New Entrants on, from the perspective that this is uniquely ours, uniquely Kiwi, that more and more young people would know where they fit in. And the right path would be chosen by so many. Arohanui. Nga mihi.

Annie

Te Reo is the most beautiful language and I want it to flourish and be heard on the streets, bus, parks by everyone who lives here- regardless of ethnicity.

Anneliese

It's important for me to take part because of my NZ heritage.

Leanne

I want to learn more about the First Nations people’s language and culture to help tautoko the mana of Aotearoa.

Anna

Normalising Te Reo in our everyday is the best way to be a ‘team’ of 5million

Anna

We need to treasure our Maori tikanga and feel it should be honoured not only in our schools with our tamariki but throughout daily life in Aotearoa.

Anna

I come from a backward caste in India which is a minority group and speak a minority language from India. Hence I am very well aware of issues faced by minorities and the threats faced by indegenous languages. I want to contribute in whatever way I can to uplift and sustain indegenous language and culture.

Anjali

Although in Australia, I work for a progressive New Zealand company who pride themselves on being inclusive of all cultures & personalities. I wish to take part in that.

Angelo

As a teacher, I have an amazing opportunity to help materialise the vision of Te Reo Maori for all New Zealanders by 2040. Learning and speaking a language is a powerful way to honour a culture.

RoiRm4

I’m a kiwi living in Bangkok who has been part of our Kapa Haka group for ten years. Our Kapa Haka whanau keeps us grounded to our culture and heritage and what it means to be a kiwi. It also provides a network of people who care and look out for each other’s hauora. The journey of continuing to learn waiata and the movement’s involved in Kapa Haka brings so much whakahi.

Andy

Some things are better said in Māori. For me feelings expressed in Te Reo Māori are more sincere, honest and real. When I speak Māori I feel connected to another world. I feel valued and protected.

Andrea

I have Maori bloodline that I am interested to find out more about. Whenever I hear Kapahaka groups singing I get emotional, I presume this is connected to my roots.

Andrea

He mea nui tēnei te kōrero Māori ahakoa te iti hei ara whakakaha, whakaohooho anō i te reo Māori ki roto i ngā wāhi mahi katoa o Aotearoa, kia pūawai anō te moemoea, te hiahia o Wairoa Rearua

Anatipa

Ko te reo Māori, te reo rangatira! !

Anaru

I think it's important as a NZer to encourage and support Maori language/culture where I can. It's not part of my everyday but I would really like to learn and value it more.

Amy

I moved to NZ in January to work in a primary school. I am constantly inspired by my class and I think anything I do, should inspire them.

Amy

Support the first language of Aotearoa Increase my knowledge of te reo Māori

Amy

To learn about different tradition and get to know what its like

Amrit

To be close to my culture and family

Amber

I am a pakeha ECE kaiako and I want tamariki to experience the language that is unique to our country.

Amanda

Our children need to see through example the importance of Te Reo and by respecting and valuing our country's language and customs hopefully shows the maori children and others in my class how much I value and respect them. I hope it also gives them confidence and strength to give their best everyday.

Amanda

It is important to ensure we build te reo so we don't loose te reo. Our rangatahi will help build te reo's profile! !

Amanda

Respect for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and bicultural NZ.

Amanda

Because te reo Māori is one of the things that makes NZ special, and so it should be celebrated and normalised.

Alwyn

Te reo Māori is an incredibly beautiful language and am loving being on this journey. The normalisation of te reo Māori is also important to me as a kaiako.

Allison

It is important for Te Maunga to be part of the Māori Language Moment as we are actively working to incorporate more Te Reo into our day to day lives.

Allie

So the language of our first people is not lost.

Allan

As a pākeha, I passionately believe that Te Reo should be taught, celebrated and promoted as the ataahua language that it is and all it represents! Kia kaha!

Alice

This is important to me as I am a descendant of Ngapuhi. When I was younger, I never had the opportunity to learn so what time is better than the present. I hope that we make the million mark bec

Alex

I think it's a really important part of New Zealand culture. I am pakeha and sometimes I feel like the language barrier makes it easy for me to not actively seek out Maori culture and essentially put a massive part of the culture and history of New Zealand in the 'one day when I get round to it' basket. And so, I want to try and change that.

Alexandra

I have grown in Aotearoa and have learned do many words over my life but still cant make a sentence, my goal is too achieve a simple conversation with ease, that is my happy goal.

Alejandra

Its time for me and the other many to make reo a everyday occurrence. . . . . . . . it is a important part of Aoteroa

Albie

Because its who I am, Its apart of me so embrace it, learn it and move forward with it to better educate our tamariki.

Alana

My self and My Tamariki are my why. I was someone who was brought up in Te Ao Maori me ona Tikanga as the years went by I lost my self. I now have 7 tamariki who are constantly asking me to teach them Te Reo and everything and anything to do with being Maori. It is time I stop being Mangere and Teach my tamariki and find my way back to the world I belong in.

Ahoroa

I would like to gain confidence and understanding of Te Reo so I can korero at home and in the workplace.

Agnes

Because I'm proud of my people and reo

Adrian

It is essential for kaiako to provide a bi-culutral environment, working in partnership and living te riti o waitangi, and "keeping the Maori language alive"

Abby

Because te reo is one of the most important taonga we have in Aotearoa.

Abbey

I've always wanted to learn te reo but "life" got in the way

Aaron