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'

Im doing this for our people And our whanau and our tamariki The blog post slug for this story is: rayden_-_auckland

rayden

Because I am Maori and I need to start somewhere with showing my tamariki how proud we are as maori

Ray

Tautoko te kaupapa

Rawinia

The importance of inclusiveness and identity

Rangi

Wanting to revitalise Te reo within my whānau so it can be gifted to future generations

Atarangi

This is US. Language is life. Te Reo is the lifeblood of the culture. I am Pakeha and so it's MORE important for me to learn and help others learn.

Raewyn

I believe we should be speaking Te Reo in our korero every day, This is a fantastic opportunity to come together as one.

Rachelle

I enjoy listening to Te Reo. I feel it gives me grounding as a New Zealander. I am open to learning any new Te Reo and I endeavour to pronounce Te Reo correctly.

Rachelle

I am a kaiako and a new māma. I have been on my Te reo māori journey since 2016 falling in love with the language and the culture. I have done some study through TWoA and plan to do more. It was two kaiako from my previous school that kicked this off for me both amazing wahine. Our son is Māori and I think it’s important for him to know his history, culture and language. Be proud of who he is and his name. It’s for my son and it’s for our tamariki of New Zealand.

Rachel

To keep our reo alive!

Rach

Te Reo Māori has been an important part of my upbringing and growth as a person. Using the language (even in small parts) helps raise awareness and promotes the use of it.

Hera

I want to learn Maori but never found the drive to actually kickstart it. This is my chance to begin a journey.

Qurat

to understand the culture you must understand the language!

Quinn

Being Māori

Queenie

To give effect to Te tiriti - Te reo Māori is our first language.

Prisca

We acknowledge and value the importance of te reo Maori not only in New Zealand but as an early childhood centre and endeavour to uphold this and practice the bi-cultural early childhood curriculum of Aotearoa, Te Whariki.

Preenika

My husband and I made a conscious decision to send our tamariki to kohanga, rumaki and wharekura because we ourselves didn’t have the confidence enough to speak We use te reo reluctantly at home in conversation, but sing waiata and have daily reading from kura to help us all.

Poi

It’s important for me to grow in Te Reo Māori so me kids can have the opportunity to converse and connect with their whanau who speak fluently.

Piripi

The blog post slug for this story is: pippa_-_christchurch

Pippa

Because it is our indigenous language. It is a long time coming.

Phoebe

I believe it’s important to share, celebrate, recognise and respect our beautiful national language and culture

Phillipa

We know how important it is for us to kaiako to use and speak as much Te Reo Maori on a daily basis, so all the tamariki learn and know New Zealands native language.

pip

If we don't use it, we will loose a massive, important part of our culture

Phil

Toku Reo.

Pewana

Because its my heritage and I'm proud of my ancestors

Petra

When Europeans arrived they sought to systematically destroy The Reo Māori and drove it into disuse through both the official and unofficial laws. Because Pakeha were responsible for the language decline, it's our responsibility to now systematically build it back up. Plus, learning Te Reo to me is a way of showing Māori that I respect and honour them and their culture.

Petra

Te reo maori is the essence of keeping Aotearoa unique in this world while at the same time binding us all together as one.

Peter

It feels important to learn this language and try to make it part of my everyday life year round!

peter

He kaupapa matua te tu pakari mo to tatou reo, me te tu maaro hoki mo to tatou Maoritanga, kei tahaetia e nga koretake me nga kuware. Tieekina te mana Maori motuhake! ✋ Kororia ki To Ingoa tapu Amine😁

Peter

As I grew up, I had very few opportunities to learn Te Rep - I’m 71 now, perhaps this is my last chance? I have passed up what opportunities I had, to my regret.

Peter

As many of us live away from our marae, maybe our skin gets fairer across the generations, we need ways to bind together to define ourselves. Te reo is the strongest tool for us to reinforce to each other who we are. Kia mau ki tou reo!

Peter

I love learning Te Reo, a beautiful language.

Have not taken, part in a Maori language throughout my life and now would love to . Kapai

Pauline

He kaiako ahau kei te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Hou. Aoteatoa, te reo Māori, Whakanuia!

Pauline

To embed Te Reo into my daily practice, so it rolls off my tongue to model well for my students.

Pauline

I believe Maori language is unique to Aotearoa

Pauline

Because I didn't learn te reo when I went to school and I want to learn it as it's part of what makes me a kiwi.

Paulette

Because I want to be part of celebrating Te Reo, recognising it's an official language of this country.

Paula

Want to be part of the 1 million conversational speakers in 2040

Paul

Te reo Māori is the language of Aotearoa New Zealand and deserves to be honoured and respected.

Paul

Maori is an important language for all kiwis. I have a responsibility to help educate children in the language.

Paul

Every bit of learning te reo whether it be in the classroom or at home is a step in the right direction.

Patricia

Maori language and tikanga are the foundation of Aotearoa. We need go know, we need to acknowledge this.

Patricia

I don't want to lose our language it is what identifies us as being Maori. Our language is a jewel a taonga passed down to us by our ancestors and we owe it to them, our future generations and ourselves to hold on to our roots our mana for eternity, it is what makes us unique and stand up and take place in this world and be proud to be Maori. Kia kaha, nga mihi. Peata

Patricia

Te Reo Maori is a beautiful language and the language of our country- it needs to be preserved, celebrated and honoured and to be a living legacy for the people of Aotearoa .

Pat

It's time.

Parani

Because I am Maori and want to learn Te reo.

Pania maudeen

I am Māori and learning and speaking Te Reo Māori is vital to keeping our culture alive in New Zealand. Bilingual skills are beneficial and so learning one of the other main languages of our country, that is often used in place names and greetings, is a great start to also learning and understanding other languages and cultures. Kia Kaha koutou!

Paige

As a immigrant in Aotearoa I would like to explore and discover and learn more about this beautiful country and its history and people and cultures. Im very interested in the Maori culture and I think its a great idea to explore and learn about it especially as its not something I am familiar with.

Paige

because my family only speaks a little Te Reo and i think its important to remember my past

oscar

To learn and know about the culture of maori.

Om

Te current Reo Maori revival is very important to New Zealand Aotearoa cultural entity at home and on the global stage.

Olivier

My ancestors experienced racist policies and poor treatment that disconnected them for their Reo. In this time, we can bring it back into our lives without shame or embarrassment. We can pride ourselves in our cultural capital and good pronunciation even with the generational break.

Olivia

To keep our language alive and thriving for our future generations

Olivia

My [Māori] father was adopted into a tauiwi whānau so for both him and I growing up we didn't get to experience te ao Māori. I've learned a bit through study at uni and continued on in my mahi. I've just had my baby and I'd love for him to learn about his whakapapa, including the reo. We'll encourage him to be bilingual as much as possible. My parents are on board and continuing to push themselves in their reo journey too.

Olivia

We live in Aotearoa! Māori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa. We need to respect the language and culture of the whenua. If we don't continue to uphold the language and culture then it will be lost.

Oliana Eniata

I want to honour this beautiful culture. As an immigrant I know how important identity is and I pray that Aotearoa will nurture what makes it unique which is te reo Māori.

Olga

Ma runga tatou te waka reo. Me takakawe tatou ki te pupuri, ki te whakaora te reo me whakamahi ai i nga wa, i nga wahi katoa kia Maori noa iho.

Nopera

I would like to converse with my mokopuna who already has te reo maori, i am already on a course for Te Reo Maori, but to be able to do this will only extend and re enforce what i am learning.

Noeleen

It’s important to me because I want reo to be a part of me and my everyday.

Nivana

He Ngati Raukawa ahau

Niva

My tūpuna were oppressed into not speaking their own language and being a rangatahi of the next generation I feel I am obliged to carry the tikanga and reo in order to gain back our culture.

Nirvana

I want to be a part of a movement that ensures we keep our taonga that is Te Reo. I want to show my kids that it's cool to korero.

Nina

It is great to be a part of this language and culture. Even though I am non Moari, I feel a sense of belonging by being part of this Aotearoa.

Niloufer

As a teacher it is super important to learn the language of NZ.

Nikki

we are on a mission to embed authenticity, context and strategic intent into our organisation around how we use, engage and respect Te Tiriti

Nikki

It's important for me to take part so I can celebrate my ancestors and keep the reo alive within me and rhaie around me.

Nikki

Language is part of identity and culture. We need Te Reo to grow our Hauroa.

Niki

Everyone in Aotearoa should be about to korereo Māori at least a little bit.

Nicole

just want to be part of the movement by supporting it

Nicole

Our school has many bicultural learners, it is so important to recognise heritage in our school environments to set inclusive and caring experiences for our tamariki.

Nicole

To recognise my Maori heritage x

Nicole

My chosen sister is half Maori, I love her and would love to learn more

Nicola

As a New Zealander and a teacher it is important for me to keep learning Te Reo Māori. Growing my own understanding.

Nicola

Not being Maori is not an excuse. If you go to Spain you are expected to know and speak Spanish, so why not Maori in New Zealand. I've been in this country longer than the country that I was born in, but I respect and love the Maori people and want to show my appreciation by becoming fluent in Te Reo. Thank you for everything that you are doing.

Nicky

It’s important for us all to remember and acknowledge the beautiful language of Aotearoa even if we don’t/can’t all speak it. The more we hear the more we will learn.

Nicki

Keeping the beautiful reo alive in Aotearoa.

Nick

To be an ally

Nicholas

Te reo māori is an important part of New Zealand culture and our national identity. It also gives Māori students a sense of belonging and lets them know their culture is important in New Zealand

Nic

As a pakeha Maori culture has given me so much to be proud of in NZ, and I want to be able to give that back, to do what I can to amplify that part of Aotearoa that I et so much from.

Nic

I am Māori and in a position of being a tumuaki at our school. We need to model to our tamariki that our reo is integral to our sense of belonging.

Ngatai

Because I’ve lived in Australia for so long and have now met my partner who is Australian, I think it’s beautiful to share who I am with him and that includes sharing my culture.

Ngapeita

Kia whakakaha ai i te rere o to tātou reo ataahua ki tēnei whenua o Aotearoa! E kaha rere ana te reo ki tōku ao, ā, ko tāku he tautoko i te rere o te reo ki te motu whānui

Nganeko

i have always believed Maori language is important to me and my whanau as it is our heritage, however, it is not accepted as valuable by many people, even in my own family. It is also not spoken enough in general to help most of us continue to use it. Continued immersion in oral and written language is important to help any language become more familiar.

Ngaire

Now that I am living in NZ I believe that I need to learn the native language of the country.

Neranja

i used to be quite capable of speaking te reo as a teenager. . now as an adult i'm re=learning

nelly

Ki te ako õku hoa mahi ki te whai te reo maori oti ra ki te korero I te reo maori I na wa katoa. . .

Nathan

It’s important to keep language alive.

Natasha

I haven't used my reo or te Ao Maori since I moved to Kerikeri 2 years ago. I am a qualified preschool teacher who was very passionate about it since graduating and whilst working. I've realized that if you don't use it, you lose it.

Natalie

Because we are New Zealanders - Te Reo Maori is one of our 3 official languages!

Natalie

It is a beautiful language and I am trying to upskill my knowledge of Te Reo Maori and tikanga to show pride in my country and it's heritage.

Natalie

Connection to my whānau

Nat

I've been lucky enough to live in privilege for most of my life, and one of the most common ways that privilege has been able to express itself in my life is through the blatant misuse and manipulation of Te Reo Maori into a warped version of itself, without any of the respect the language deserves. I don't want that privilege to be a part of my life any longer.

Nat

Kahungunu tangata reo, Kahungunu tangata ora!

Nic

Because it joins me up with others and being in a group is stronger than being separate, and because it feels a bit risky for me (as a beginner) but the language is at risk and so I think I can take on a little risk for it’s sake.

Naomi

I live in Australia. I am away from home. I yearn for home.

Naomi

I Want to be part of the drive to keep this beautiful language flourishing. It is so important for Aotearoa NZ - for the tangata whenua and us manuhiri - all of us who make up this nation - to be able to speak at least to some Level, the reo that is only spoken here and through which we learn so much about each other. A friend in class last week pointed out to me that there are 16 ways of saying ‘our’ in te reo Māori (that we had learned by this stage in our journey anyway) vs 1 way in English. What does that reveal about what is important in Te Ao Maori? Relationships, relationships, relationships - or he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It’s like an object lesson from within the reo itself. Beeeeeaaauuutiful!

Naomi

Because if our bicultural partnership. It’s special and we need to do as well as say.

Naomi

It couldn't mean more to me, it is my identity, the pursuit of Te reo has given me strength in my identity as a wahine Māori, a deeper understanding of who I am and a deep pride in my whakapapa!

Naomi

Because I live on this land and I want to do my part to honour the language of the real Kaitiaki of the land. Also, I want my students to understand the importance of honouring and learning the language of the land on which we live.

Nadya