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 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

Its important to me as a Maori that our language lives on for our future generations to come

Hineipaketia

He take nui te reo, Te Reo Maori ki ahau na te mea, he taonga te reo na a matou matua tupuna. Ko te reo ki ahau te orokohanga o te motu o Aotearoa. Ka tika me whakanuia i te kaupapa nei me rangona kia ora mo ake tonu. mo a matou Tamariki Mokopuna.

Letisha

We are lucky to live in NZ and to have the Māori culture. This culture however needs to be authentically elevated and interwoven through all of NZ society, the language and understanding of Te Ao Māori, Tikanga etc is vital for all New Zealanders to know, understand and respect.

Gabrielle

Te reo Maori is 'our' language in Aotearoa NZ - we all have a responsibility to ensure it thrives and is part of every day NZ

Jo

Te reo Māori is Aotearoa’s language, we should all know the basics at least.

Margie

It's the first and native language of Aotearoa and my husband and kids are Māori. We're all actively learning, including our 5-year-old being in bi-lingual at school. Our agency is Māori-owned, so it's something we want to celebrate.

Laura

Kia kaua to tatou reo e rite ki te moa! kia korero maori i nga wa katoa.

Pikiteora

I would like to improve my own knowledge and skills in Te Reo so I can confidently integrate the language into my every day life

Rachel

As teachers/parents/and people of Aotearoa, we work hard towards building our reo and sharing this with our teaching community.

Dallas

From my students: I used to be illegal - we are trying to make it come alive again We want it to come back properly. It used to be the only language. Every year there's a celebration of every culture. It's our unique language. It's good to learn about the history of different countries. It's also nice to have the experience of learning another language.

Kapa

It's important to me to take part this year because it's small actions that make a big difference. If we hear te reo, see te reo, share te reo more, it will be a bigger part of our life. I want that for me and I want that for future generations. It's the right thing to do.

Catarina

I have a deepening respect and awareness of Maori heritage and culture, and want to continue to learn.

Nick

Because I care deeply about supporting the indigenous people in this land to be able to realise their tino rangatiratanga, in all areas, especially health.

jenni

Ko tōku Reo tōku oranga. He oranga tonutanga mō tātou te iwi Māori mō ōku tamariki ki te kura, mō ōku ake tamariki hoki.

Marge

To support the indigenous language of our nation

Rosei

I married into a Maori whanau & have 2 beautiful tamariki who I want to tautoko & help fill them with mana about being Maori!

Dani

My why is my Tupuna, my whakatupuranga, my wairua.

Trudy

Knowledge I want to learn

Jeneane

We live in Aotearoa and Te Reo is a beautiful language and an important part of the culture here. Mostly its because I value Te Reo as part of our society going forward. . . its respect and a long time coming. I wish I had learnt it at school.

Linda

Language is a taonga, and it is a privilege to receive an invitation to share this gift. Te reo Maaori is increasingly becoming part of NZ mainstream culture. I have noticed immigrants embracing te reo as a way to feel included as "kiwi".

Maureen

Te Reo is a poetic, beautiful language that needs to be celebrated and woven deeper into the fabric of our society.

Sonya

I have a special connection to this kaupapa. My nanny taught me and my sister te reo māori in our home in the late 70's early 80's. She passed away when I was 7 years old and my whānau were not equipped to carry this taonga on for us so we then lost our ability to kōrero. However I always had the passion for learning te reo māori. Now as a māmā, nanny and a wife we believe we can normalise te reo māori in our home and support friends and whānau to learn, speak and live te ao māori i ngā wā katoa:) Mānuka takoto, kawea ake! I accept this challenge! !

Francie

I want my children to be proud of their own Māori inheritance and I want to learn to be more confident with te reo Māori when speaking in public. Māori is Aotearoa's indigenous language and should be cherished as such.

Lynda

As a kaiako in the Early childhood sector we work from a bi-cultural curriculum and it is important to us as a centre to be active in supporting our tamariki in te ao Māori.

Gina

It is important to me because I value the bicultural history of New Zealand and the connection to my whakapapa that I gain when I incorporate Te Reo into my everyday communication. It is important to me as a Educator to uphold the values of Treaty of Waitangi and ensuring my Maori rangatahi feel valued and supported within my Kura.

Marisse

So I can grow in my knowledge and understanding of tikanga, kawa and Te Reo.

Bridget

Te Reo Maori is a beautiful language and it needs our support. Also it helps to give mana to Maori which is very important as the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa

Roger

To get involved in Maori Language week and learn something new.

Segie

I never knew Te Reo growing up and being a mum I want my child to embrace her culture. When she learns I learn and so forth. Always encouraging correct pronunciations where I work to.

Aj

My reality is that my friends are all raising their babies to speak reo. I want to ensure that even as their non-Māori aunty, that I support keeping Te Reo alive. I also want to see my colleagues engage in using Reo more than just a token 'Kia Ora' here and there.

Shannan

We should celebrate our unique and beautiful Maori Culture, language, and history every day so that new generations grow up being proud of our people and live in a country that has equal opportunities for all.

Moana

Because It is my culture and my heritage that has been lost through the generations, I think it of it as a privilege to speak the language, all my cousins and older and younger can speak it and it makes me feel left out so I want to learn my reo.

Emma-Lee

I firmly believe that learning te reo māori is beneficial to ALL of Aotearoa, as we Māori look at revitalising our reo as well as our stories.

Truby

Nā Tā Hēmi Henare te kōrero, "ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori. . . " This whakatauākī is my reason to take part, my reason why. Te Reo Māori is more than a language, it is whakapapa, it is whānau, history, traditions, and the very essence of what it means to be Māori.

Ngawini

The Maori language is part of our heritage and culture in New Zealand and I would like to be able to use it in order to honour that.

Caroline

Why, is our whanau and Moko, also we resonate with the Tikanga, Manaaki, wairua and te reo Maori as a way to live. We are enjoying learning and it connects us with our Maori whanau and encourages our non Maori whanau to learn so connects us all and brings us closer together.

Christine

Te Reo contributes to Aotearoa's unique place in the world and we must help it flourish!

Peggy

Te reo Maori deserves to be spoken, heard and loved

Helen

To ensure that our reo flourishes and is maintained for our future generations.

Wihapi

Kia whāngai i te kākano na tūnohunohu mā i whakatō. Kia puawai mai te kākano rā hei kitenga mo te ao. Ko te reo me ona tikanga, koia te kākano e korerotia nei e au.

Hikawai

Te Reo Māori is the beating heart of the foundation of this land. Promoting this beautiful language and being part of a movement to make it not a novalty to speak Te Reo Māori on a regular basis.

Sophie

It's really important to our identity and keeping the language alive. Lots of pressure is put on the small number of people who know our language. It's important for the rest of us to help.

Bryan

Ko te reo te mauri ora, e taea ai te kī - He Māori ahau!

Te Kamaka

We want to inspire our tamariki to use te reo and keep the language alive! We have a decent sized platform to share and promote Māori language with our whānau

Kelsey

It is one of our National languages and the language of the native people of Aoteroa. I have whakapapa to Waikato so Māori and Te Reo Māori has a special place in ny heart.

Jenna

We must keep our language alive and provide inspiration to our younger generation x

Jodahn