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'

Te Reo is a toango for our future. It needs to be given life. . . this is one of the ways I can be a part of doing that

Jacquie

To help revitalise our language

Iwa

I want to be more comfortable with the Maori Language. I feel I have been a beginner for years. I need to move forward.

Irene

This is unique to NZ, unlike other Pacifica languages if the language does not survive here then it dies.

Sian

cos would love to support te reo me te ao Māori

Huyuki

No te mea pirangi au te whakanui te reo maori kia kaua to matou reo e mate

hirani

Me pēhea e kore ai e kuhu ki tēnei kaupapa, inārā, koinei tētahi kaupapa e āki nei te whakarauoratanga mai o tō tātou reo. Nā te reo Māori, nā ngā tikanga Māori i tangata mai ai ahau i tēnei ao weriweri. Me whakatipu tātou i ā tātou tamariki ki ēnei taonga, e kore ai rātou e paheke ki te hē. E whakapono nui ana ahau ki ngā kōrero a ō tātou pakeke e mea ana, ki te whakatōkia te reo Māori ki te whatumanawa, ki te hinengaro, ki te māngai hoki, ka ora te reo Māori me te tangata. Ka mutu, kei te reo ngā kura huna e tūwhera ai te tangata ki te ahurea whakaaro Māori. He mano hua ka puta i tēnei kaupapa. Ko te kōrerotia o te reo tetahi hua nui. Mā tō rourou, mā tōku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. Mā tō reo Māori, mā tōku reo Māori, ka ora ai te ao Māori. Whītiki tauā!

Hinerapa

Te Reo is the pito of us all. I think it is important to get onto this bandwagon because the more we influence it within our workplace and communities the more thriving our culture, our reo will be.

Hinemoana

My children are of maori decent, I am not. My youngest is learning te reo and my son at high school has had some learning. I just want to speak and understand.

Hila

For our people Our tamariki Our generations to come So our reo will never be lost So the value is more than just language. It is the people who will take it forward and grow it. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. MAURI ORA! ! The blog post slug for this story is: hellen_-_dargaville

Hellen

Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and being a bicultural country is important to me, and language is critical to culture. . . and I am finding it really hard to learning te reo, and this will help me prioritise my learning.

Helena

We asked the tamariki why learning te reo Māori is important to them. . . They shared their ideas with us "At Preschool we want to learn to reo māori because we only know a little bit of te reo Māori and we don't know all the words of it. We can count in te reo Māori but we want to learn up to 100". "We like to sing tirama tirama and Tutira mai nga iwi and we know karakia".

Helen

I moved to NZ 8 years ago and felt it was important to learn Māori as it’s an official language of the country. 2 years ago I moved to Northland and always look for opportunities to speak te reo. I want to help promote the use of te reo in everyday NZ life.

Helen

I have been on a journey of learning te reo Māori since 2017, largely because I have mokopuna Māori but also because I think it is important to me as a New Zealander to be able to have some basic conversations in te reo Māori.

Helen

It's one of the many things that makes NZ unique. Also similar to my scottish ancestors our native language was banned as well so I want to support the resurgence as it's part of our cultural identity.

Heather

Te reo is such a beautiful language and it is vitally important we all use it as much as we can.

Hayley

Having lived in Northland for several years, listening to te reo Maori became part of my normal life. Just so wished I learnt enough to understand the language as well as the culture then. So my journey starts from now when I see the opportunity of learning re reo.

Haruna

I want to be more fluent in speaking te reo. I’m from māori decent from about 7 generations but I feel such a close connections to the values and ways of learning/being as māori.

Hannah

For us it is more important bringing our culture to our children’s lives as we no longer live in New Zealand - it’s still in our blood.

Hannah

Because māori is everything to me, learning the language and the kaupapa is also important to me and keeping it running through our country is also important, Te reo māori is not only a language to me but it’s also a gift and to have that gift it feels I’ve been given that gift passed down by our past ancestors, that’s why I’m interested in taking part of this thing, why because we are all one and I believe māori is a taōnga, a treasure to have in this country

Henare

It's part of who I am and I think it's important to keep our culture and reo alive.

Haley

it is the language of my ancestors and of our future, it is who I am

haley

Because this is one of our official languages and I personally believe that we as NZ Citizens, need to learn our culture and traditional language :)

Gwen

Without te reo Maori we don't have New Zealand or Aotearoa. Simply put it is a part of them, so lets make it part of us all.

Greg

I am a british immigrant, and permanent resident of New Zealand. I want to learn and embrace the language and culture of our new home

Gill

As an immigrant, it is a privilege and honour coming into New Zealand to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi.

Geraldine

Its important to revitalize the language and share its significance with the next generation.

Georgia

Te Reo Maori is the rightful language of Aotearoa. English can take a back seat for a long while as far as I am concerned. We should all speak Te Reo. There is no reason to be speaking the language of a false idol, a Queen, whose life is paid for by our taxes, she and her family serve no purpose except as an emblem of past violence inflicted on the globe. Te Reo Maori is connected to nature, to being, it flows in a frequency that connects all as one in its mere vibration. We need to move back towards the ways of the indigenous earth peoples, especially New Zealand, a country and population (even the colonizers) that prides itself on natural beauty.

Gabriela

The Māori language and culture is recognised nationally by other indigenous people and i think it is imperative that we get behind such an amazing celebration as leaders in the indigenous space. We all have a part to play. Kia Kaha Toku Reo.

Gabriel

Ensure the upkeep of the languange an all its teachings so it may continue to florish creating a feeling of normality for the future generation so they may not feeo burdened when speaking!

Francis

Our te reo our history our traditions our whenua our religion needs to be protect for our direct blood descendants future

Francis

Proud being Maori wahine! Proud of our maori culture! Proud to stand & strongly support our maori heritage! & every aspect pertaining TE REO MAORI

Franii

Our language is an important link to the culture of NZ!

Fiona

Its important to me because i need to embrace my culture and i love the idea

Eric

My brother encouraged me.

Erana

tis time to be loud and proud and korero ia rā ia rā.

Erana

I want the next generation to know it's cool to korero and not to feel the shame I felt as a child for wanting to korero maori.

Emma

To share, inspire, motivate and encourage others to embrace our beautiful customs and language.

Emily

Why? To increase my sense of belonging, acknowledging who I am and what it means to do this. Increasing my understanding I will then be able to pass this knowledge on to my own whanau, and my place of mahi.

Emily

I'm a pakeha but te reo and tikanga māori are part of who I am through my connections and whakapapa to Aotearoa. I think this is vitally important for all of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Emily

He tino whakahirahira ki ahau nā te mea ko tenei reo rangatira ko te reo Māori ko tõku tuakiritanga.

Elyse

as a creole form an island in Indian Ocean, I think it's important to celebrate the roots

Elodie

Te reo Māori, is not only about continuing to promote our reo (Māori/Non-Māori) but it is also an opportunity to celebrate past and present rangatira who fought so hard in getting our Reo recognised. Our reo alongside our culture (tikanga, whanau, whakapapa etc), is our protective factors in keeping us well and proud of who we are and where we are from.

Ellen

Te Reo is a beautiful language and deserves to be preserved and promoted and taught. It is an important initiative for New Zealand and it’s unique identity.

Elizabeth

Tautoko tenei kaupapa i to tatou reo maori. Mama nohio mo a wai ki te mohio a tatou tikanga. Koina toku whakaaro.

Erueti

My teacher told me to do this

Edward
Ebony

We as Maori are unique people that have so much depth into our culture and history. We are are connected together through these two things, and that’s what makes us strong. Our stories and our beliefs as Maori are like no other, we look at life the Maori way and we see things the Maori way. We are more connected to this world than we think and our history and culture should be heard.

Dray

Tautoko mai tēnei kaupapa e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo Māori

Donna

I'm a kiwi who grew up in the UK and returned to Aotearoa 12 years ago with very little knowledge of te ao Maori. Learning a little te reo Maori and using it everyday is helping me on my journey to connect with Maori and learn more about their history.

Donna

Our Kaiako would like to show our commitment and support the revitalization of Te reo Māori through our preschool environment.

Donna

For my mokopuna who are all fluent in te reo and for me I am just starting on my journey of learning te reo

Don

I have always felt there was a missing link in my identity. I am coming to realise that is from the hole in my life where my reo should be. It is more than just a language, it is an artform, a way of looking at life, it is the whakapapa in my blood, the feelings that I have that don't have english words to describe them. It is me.

Dominique

Ko Te Reo Māori he taonga tuku iho.

Dominic

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