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'

My boyfriend is Māori. And I’d love to get to the point where I could have a conversation with him. Its a surprise

Dorita

I support the kaupapa of Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori and am encouraging myself to start on this learning journey.

Doris

Te reo has a crucial role to play in Aotearoa New Zealand's identity

Donna

It is important to acknowledge the diversity that exists in Aotearoa.

Donna

Im proud to be Maori and want to show that to my collegaues

Donna

To be a participant in a worthy endeavour that facilitates a survival strategy for continual use of Te Reo as an everyday language in Aoateroa

Donna

It is Important to me to incorporate Te Reo Maori in my everyday life conversations, because it is everyday part of Our lil family, Our Mokos are surrounded by Te Reo Maori and it is my choice to participate as best I can. to help me and also help Our Mokos.

Donna

I had just explained in the last patai but will explain again. As my tamariki and mokopuna are Maori I feel it is important to learn Maori reo especially that my moko are in Australia and dont get to be here with us to embrace our culture. I always send them books, posters etc so they can learn the basics. Its not much but its a start. I encourage work collegues to learn the reo also with having words or phrase each week to use in our every day language.

Donna Lee

From my early adult years I've valued the bicultural principles that have were agreed as the cultural basis of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Alas the reality hasn't kept up with the reality, but hopefully we are seeing a change in understanding and behaviour that is important for Maori, Pakeha and i hui katoa nga tauiwi nei ki roto.

Don

Te Reo is such an important part of Aotearoa's past, present and future. To me, part of fostering the present and future, and supporting my Maori brothers and sisters is normalising Pakeha using Te Reo in everyday life, so other Pakeha can see it as normal and something they can get involved in, rather than separate, or just for Maori. Maori should absolutely be the kaitiaki of Te Reo, and Pakeha should feel like they can and should support that.

Dominique

I love the Maori culture and it is part of my wife's family heritage and therefore part of me too.

Dominic

Its Maori language week

Django

I work with children and I believe the children should know and recognise the National language of this country. Te reo is part of our curriculum and to be able to take part in the moment will enhance our knowledge about the Maori language and culture. The blog post slug for this story is: divya_-_auckland

Divya

Acknowledging my tipuna & keeping our very essence alive. Being proud of who I am & where I come from.

Dione

It is a privilege and pride to be a Maori speaking Kiwi!

Dinesh

Maori is party of our countries heritage.

Dianne

Because it is one of New Zealand's national languages and we cannot afford to loose how precious it is to New Zealand.

Di

My generation missed out on learning te reo Maori as it was not valued at the time, therefore it's important to promote and encourage te reo as an everyday language in Aotearoa. Eventually the reo will be accepted more widely by the community as I am observing more and more.

Diane

New Zealand, Aotearoa, it is so important we know our roots, where we started, our Maori is SO important to the vitality and who New Zealand is. It is our culture it is who we are (I am pakeha, but am so enriched because I am a kiwi who from birth have been grateful for Maori and the learning of the land etc - I am 51 years old and its important for now, the future). It is so important that we bring up Maori as the forefront of this country - it is why we are special and we need to embrace.

Diana

I'm tgaking part beacaue Te Reo Rangatira is the cheifly language

Diana

My heritage is the Khoekhoe (or San, Khoisan) - the indigenous peoples of South Africa. Currently, the government refuses to even acknowledge my whakapapa as the country's first nation's people and their struggle for recognition continues. In the absence of this recognition, the language is all but dead, spoken by only a handful of people. Living in New Zealand has made me more aware of my own heritage and the importance of its preservation. However, working for a Māori organisation for 8-years has brought that realisation to the fore. If there isn't anything I can do for my own whakapapa, then I want to be sure that I am contributing to Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori in any way I can. Mā pango, mā whero ka oti te mahi.

Deva

I have just completed level 3 Te Reo and want to share this with others

Desiree

Whakanuia te reo!

Dennis

Our language is one of the ways we pass down Cultural stories and Māori myths to our younger generations. I want to show my tamariki that it is an important taonga that should be protected and by speaking & singing Te reo Māori in our everyday lives we do just that.

Dennis

Te Reo is part of our nation's heritage.

Denise

I am a New Zealander and believe we should be a trilingual country (Reo, Signing and English)

Denise

Ko te reo kia rere

Denise

As I have grown older I have slowly grown in understanding of the awfil damage done to Tangata Whenua through loss and disrespect of Te Reo. I am trying to play a small part in making things right Sorry! I'm not able to take photos or record. But I'm committed.

Denise

I want all New Zealanders to learn and hear te reo Māori spoken everywhere.

Denise

I recognise we are a bicultural nation and so want to try to embrace some of the Maori culture. As a New Zealander Maori culture is kind of part of who I am. I have friends and family who are Maori so I want to understand their culture more. I have a good working relationship with my local Marae.

Dellwyn

to better understand the commonly used terms

della

I want to do my bit towards the country's goal of revitalising the language.

Delia

I would like te reo Maori to be spoken more by us all in everyday life

Deirdre

We are a multi cultural country and te Reo is one of our official languages. We should be interested in learning it. It's what makes us unique. I know I will never be fluent but I love to learn words and drop them into my everyday conversation. By doing that it recognises I am a New Zealander and I am proud of the culture and heritage we have available to us.

Debbie

We are forever on our learning journey with Te Reo Maori and tikanga practices within our early childhood environment.

Debbie

being a non fluent speaker makes me feel like I have lost something, some expressions in te reo Maori sum up ideas way better than the words in English, they explain the maori perspective as well, the link between the way the words have more than one meaning is something non maori speakers don't get, its like missing the punchline of a joke, if you have to have it explained its spoiled. I want my mokopuna to speak fluent language, my grandson didn't know that kai was the maori word for kai, he just thought it was the word for kai, i want that for all the words. In his classroom he was searching around for the new maori word for kai.

Debbie

To support te reo Maori as a unique NZ language important in retaining Maori culture

Debbie

We are learning about community and the NZ culture of Maori is part of our community

Debbie

Language is a connection to home and a sign of respect to culture

Debbie

As a teacher, the urgency of engagement with Te Reo Māori is one tool at our disposal to support Māori learners to achieve success in the context of being Māori. This is the very tip of the iceberg but making a start is important.

Deb

To normalise Te Reo Māori and showcase to others across the world, what a beautiful culture and language we have as Māori.

Deana

We want to acknowledge how important and special te reo maori is

Dawson Falls

For the tamariki I look after.

David

Te Reo is part of New Zealand's heretige and should be spoken by all.

David

I think it is vital for NZ to have a strong Maori culture and for Maori people to be positively represented in all parts of society.

David

158 years ago a boat load of my ancestors arrived in NZ from the UK. Their crops failed and they would have starved to death had it not been for the kindness and the generosity of the local Maori. I am here today because of them. I am not Maori but I feel the Maori culture is part of who I am. I respect and support their traditions and want to help these to thrive and become more mainstream in Aotearoa. Lastly I want to become less self conscious when talking in Maori.

David

To learn and parctice te reo is fundamental in my role as a student kaiako and as a New Zealander.

David

Maori is the indigenous language of Aotearoa. It should be treated equally with English. It is an official language and should be taught in schools.

David

Identity

Dave

I have started learning te reo. I'm not a natural but I keep trying. I love learning te reo. I am of European decent but I think it is really important to understand our history and culture of our mana whenua. There is nothing to be frightened of.

Dave

Whakawahanaungatanga

Dave

Why am I going to join with others today to speak te reo Maori? Because I agree to supporting and encouraging the heart language of this land to grow and flourish. The heart language of Tāngata Whenua. Diversity brings life. It's time to tip the scales. He waka eke noa. Let's enjoy the ride! ! ! Kia Kaha tātou! !

Daryn

mo te whanau

Darryl

Te reo Māori is the language of Aotearoa. The place names, flora and fauna all have Māori names. If English is the international language of Aotearoa, Te reo Māori is the indigenous reo o Te whenua o Aotearoa.

Darren

To lead my example. . . . That we are never to old to keep learning.

Darlene

I want to learn for myself

Daphne

I work with the Red Cross and volunteer with UNA NZ and we incorporate te reo in both places. I want to know how to pronunciate better as I am newer to New Zealand.

Danika

My grand parents were among the kaumatua that presented the petition to parliament to recognise and revitalise Te Reo. It is thanks to them and the many many people who fought hard all their lives to keep our language and culture alive that i am able to sit here today and witness and participate in what their efforts have achieved.

Danielle

To be a role model to my 4 month old, who I intend to teach te reo māori as it is part of his heritage through his Dads side.

Danielle

I think Te Reo is beautiful. My family moved here when I was 10, they have all emmigrated elsewhere but I love Aotearoa and want to make this my home. Māori culture needs to be restored, it's wonderful and it shouldn't have ever been demonised by the 'settlers' which is a nice way of wording a terrible thing. Kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga are principles I try to live by. I believe the way to respecting our planet and caring for it properly, lies in Māori principles. Kia Kaha, Enjoy this beautiful week. Daniel

Daniel

It's about honouring the language and custom of the people of Aotearoa.

Dani

I want to learn more about the indigenous culture and language of Aotearoa

Danelle

I think it’s important to respect and appreciate the cultural background of the country we were born in

Dan

As a new resident of this beautiful country, I feel it is important to know as much about the integrated Kiwi culture as possible.

Damon

Participanting cements my reo journey.

daisy

Maaori is a beautiful language, and it should be spoken everywhere in NZ.

I've been learning on and off for 20 years and Te wiki o the reo Māori provides a much needed boost to keep going.

Craig

My father in law grew up in the time when speaking Te Reo was actively discouraged. That meant his tamariki and mokopuna have missed out. As a whānau we are committed to learning the language and supporting its use in every day situations.

Craig

I want to great and converse (basic level) with people in their preferred language

Craig

I think it is important to embrace Aotearoa and our unique culture, by doing our part and learning te reo maori.

Courtney

I wish Te Reo was taught / used a lot more when I was at school and think I would have been more confident speaking it. I know and speak a lot of reo but not fluently and I feel the more exposure I have to it the more confident I will be to use it.

Corrine

To participate in our celebration of a great country, which celebrates our tangata whenua.

Corinne

To be proud of our nations language

Corinne

Its important part of being in Aoteaora

Connie

Te reo Maori is one of our official languages. The first language in Aotearoa. We are ONE. Using it helps us to be ONE. Using it affirms our Maori heritage. It helps to build self-esteem in those whose whanau have had to deal with many difficulties as our indigenous people. . And it's beautiful! I have mokupuna, and embracing te reo is another way of embracing their heritage.

Colleen

I can't speak Maaori. I am Ngai Tahu. This is a step in the right direction for me.

Colleen

It is part of our heritage and our culture - our mana. I want to acknowledge our history and feel comfortable to speak Te Reo as a pakeha and citizen of Aotearoa.

Clementine

As a travel writer and avid hiker, I believe it's important I respect and understand the history of the places I'm travelling through and the land I'm walking on. I also love learning languages and the stories behind places names, so I'm excited to start this journey!

Clarissa

Language is a part of us - I feel it lives like we do. I am not Māori but have lived here all my life. I love Aotearoa and language of the land is part of that. I feel ashamed that I can only say "Kia ora" and that I haven't done the Great Walks. I want to experience all that breathes here and language is part of that.

Clare

Te Reo Māori is an official language of New Zealand and also cultural heritage. It's important to make it live anyway we can, even if we're not from Māori descent or not even from New Zealand. As a foreigner, it's a way for me to pay respect and show gratitude to this country that welcomed me.

Claire

To speak the language of New Zealand

Claire

Te Reo Maori is part of my whakapapa. I want to be able to speak the language of my tupuna and to korero with my tamariki and my mokopuna in te reo.

Claire

It feels right and resonates within me

Claire

For our choir, we love to sing and represent the culture. We used New Zealand sign language in our version of Wairua Tapu which we sang today at midday

Claire

For me it is about ensuring that I recognize the heritage of Aotearoa as a pakeha New Zealander. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked alongside people who have influenced my understandings of these commitments in both social work and teaching. Their influence has also made me parent differently and show my children my commitments in honoring Te Titiriti o Waitangi. What I have learnt is the language is beautiful and the meaning of it has so much wisdom and is a gift for everyone. Working in ways that enhance mana for all tamariki cannot happen unless we bring forward the language and this is my commitment - to learn more and encourage those I know to learn more because it matters most.

Clair

Because we believe that New Zealand is a bicultural nation. We have 3 official languages in New Zealand, Maori is one of those, (English and Sign language) what a privilege. For many years Maori was not permitted to be spoken in the education setting. Let's celebrate and treasure that we now have the freedom to celebrate this nowadays! Kaua he whakama ki te korero Maori, Ahakoa he iti, he taonga. Don't be shy to speak Maori, no matter how little, treasure it!

Cindy

Our language needs to be given the status it deserves. The greater number of people who share the load to have it spoken on a consistent basis are all bringing it back to daily use, precisely where it should be.

Cimone

To continue educating not only myself but others in Te Reo so that it can continue to be carried on to younger generations

Ciccone

Kei te pirangi ahau ki te ako i Te Reo Māori, ki te kōrero ia rā . . .

Christine

It is important to acknowledge/recognise the manawhenua of Aotearoa. The language is an art and should not be lost. It is the heart and mana of the people and I would like to help by supporting this

Christine

It is important that te reo Māori and its world view are understood and maintained by those who live here

Christine

I am 1/4 maori and sadly do not understand or speak maori.

Christine

I want to learn more about Maori culture

Christa

The Maori language is part of our heritage and as New Zealanders learning te reo will give us the confidence to want to learn more and be involved in the culture

Chrissie

To celebrate and recognise what makes Aotearoa so unique

Want to feel more comfortable by being able to say a few words in Te Reo

Chris

It is what makes us what we are

Chris

Because Aotearoa is the home of all tangata Māori; we will be a better nation/community if we understand and respect te ao Māori, and as part of achieving that we need to understand and use te reo.

Chris

I’m already on the wave, but need to keep riding it!

Chris

Its part of our nations identity and we need to include all kiwis in this. If we all embrace the Maori culture, language, and way of looking after the whenua, New Zealand will become much greater than she is now, as we will be building for the future instead of looking into the past and teaching future generations the hatred and feeling of being wronged for ancient sins. The sons of the sons of the sons of those crimes in New Zealands history have all paid the price on both sides of the racial divide. Time for healing, to come together and recognize we are one nation and the spiteful hanging onto historical wrongs is only hurting us all. Teach the values to the young, teach the language, teach the respect, teach them about the land, sea, flora and fauna and how to respect and nurture it and enjoy watching the people grow together. The land and sea will recover with us as a nation. Mauri Ora! Show the world we know, love and live Te Ao Maori

Chris