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'

I am a mother and a Primary School teacher. My first Language is English. My second language, which I began studying at 20, is Japanese. My third, which I began studying at 30, is Spanish and my fourth will be Te Reo Maori, which I began studying in my forties. I want my six year old son's second language to be Te Reo Maori. I feel this is important for him as a New Zealander to be able to go out into the world being able to speak both English and Te Reo Maori. When I went out into the world at 20 I regretted that I couldn't speak Te Reo Maori. It is such a beautiful, rich, poetic language. It is a taonga for us all to learn and treasure.

Katrina

Kia tautokona te tino rangatiratanga o te iwi Māori e tēnei o ngā uri o te Pākehā

Melissa

Respect the language!

Felicity

I am a kaiako and a whānau form class teacher, 3 years in NZ. I love learning te reo and tikanga and sharing my matauranga with students and staff I work with.

Because, although Pākehā I am privileged to be learning to kōrero i te Reo Rangatira. Nōku te whiwhi. Also, I care deeply about the Reo being treasured and retained.

Te maumaharatanga a te hikoi a Whaea Whina wha tekau o nga tau kua hipa.

Te Rangi

Connecting to the past and being able to pass that connection onto my future generations.

Sueann

My why is the mere fact that our tupuna fought to save our culture after colonization. My Nana was a part of the Kohanga Reo movement, and I was one of the first tamariki to come through Te Kauhanga Kohanga Reo back in 1985. So, after my Nana passed away, I always had her drive to continue on her legacy and whakakaha tātou katoa ki te korero, ki te ako I te reo Māori.

Waitonga

I’m so proud and blessed to be a kiwi and I feel part of that is learning the language that is such a big part of what makes us unique. It should be celebrated!

I am Tangata Whenua and I love our Reo, it is beautiful, so I want to promote our beautiful language far and wide. I want to encourage others to use te reo. I hate hearing mispronunciation of our reo, so I am happy to challenge with aroha. I am a bicultural educator committed to honouring our reo in te ao pakeha. They (Pakeha) don't have to speak to reo, just pronounce it properly, at a minimum.

Justine

I am Tangata Whenua and I love our Reo, it is beautiful, so I want to promote our beautiful language far and wide. I want to encourage others to use te reo. I hate hearing mispronunciation of our reo, so I am happy to challenge with aroha. I am a bicultural educator committed to honouring our reo in te ao pakeha. They (Pakeha) don't have to speak to reo, just pronounce it properly, at a minimum.

Justine

cas I am a kiwi and it is the language of the land and it is important to save it

vicki

Mo nga mokopuna te take

Mona

Kia whakapiki te taumata o taku reo.

Jared

Because where I work they constantly pronounce Te Reo wrong. . . Majority of our Client base is Maori. Our workforce isnt. It pains me and other Maori kaimahi every day that our beautiful Maori names get butchered constantly.

Daryl

My WHY is to keep the language alive through all cultures.

Hinemoa

Our why is because our organisations' values are wana - passion, haepapa - responsibility and aroha - compassion. We are responsible for ensuring that Aotearoa's national language is kept alive and is valued.

Stephanie

Playfulness is my number one personal value and te reo maori is such a rich vein for wordplay and double meaning.

Amber

Maori is cool! !

June

For my tamariki!

Maori language must survive, and I want to be a part of making it happen

I want to set an example for my Kuta and lead by learning Te Reo

Belinda

Though I am not fluent in te reo, I am very proud to be Maori.

Sharon

I want to learn

Hera

I am learning te Reo Maori as my Children and Grandchildren are now learning the language.

Ka ora te reo i ngā kaikōrero o te reo Māori

I think te reo Māori is the most beautiful language in te ao and I value my partnership through Te Tiriti o Waitangi and as a kaiako in the early childhood sector I honour and cherish te reo every time I use our kaupapa Māōri curriculum Te Whāriki.

Roxy

All languages are important. They are shaped by and shape the world view of their speakers. It's too easy to just stick to what we know so I want to challenge myself to learn Te Reo and see what happens. And yes, I want Te Reo to survive.

Barbara

It is important to encourage tamariki and ako to use te reo daily- not just during maori language week. For me that means gaining confidence and making it part of my daily day.

I started learning te reo Māori and everything about your culture in april, because of a waiata. Nō Huiterangi au, so it is not easy to learn on my own but it is worth it

Jaci

I want to pass on our ancestors language to my tamariki. I asked for my birthday this year to have Te Reo Maori lessons (basic) as I don't know much of my language. Now I am on this ride I want to keep it up and ensure our future (including my own) continue to learn. Ka maute wehi.

To help promote te reo o Aotearoa

katrina

As kaiako we have a part to play in maintaining and up skilling the tereo Maori of our tamariki

Janelle

There wasn't a lot of te reo (if any) taught at my schools, and after almost a decade overseas I'd lost almost everything I did know. My goal is to learn a couple of new te reo words each week that I can integrate into my everyday language, with a focus on improving my pronunciation.

Amanda

Kāore i tua atu i te kaha rangona, i te kaha kitea o te reo hei whakatairanga, hei whakaū i te mana o te reo. E tino eke ana i te kaupapa Waka Reo ki te Aumoana ēnei āhuatanga e rua. E whai ana kia rere te reo Māori i roto i ngā āhuatanga katoa o te waka ama - ki uta, ki te wai, i ngā waha o ngā kaiako, o ngā kaihoe me ngā kaitautoko. Hei aha? Hei whakawhānui ake i te hapori reo Māori i roto i ngā mahi hākinakina Māori o te motu. Ko te waka ama tērā me ōna tīma 1700 nō ngā karapū 61 huri i uru ki ngā whakataetae ā motu. Anō hoki ko ngā kaihoe 1, 950 nō ngā kura tuarua 118 e uru ai ki ngā whakataetae kura tuarua ā motu. Koia nei tō tātou aroha nui mō te reo me te aroha hoki ki ngā kaihoe katoa huri noa i te motu. Hāpaitia te hoe, hāpaitia te reo! (he whakaahua o tō mātou mātanga reo a Hēni Jacob e mātakitaki ana, e whakarongo ana ki ngā kaihoe o te kaupapa nei).

Otaki Waka Hoe Charitable Trust

l want to be able to talk to my moko because they go to kohunga

I'm a pākehā in a colonised land. I'd really like to do anything I can to reinforce that tangata whenua are vital to the future of NZ.

Camilla

Why take part? It's simple I guess. We are a kindergarten kura kohungahunga of passionate kaiako, whānau, tamariki. We learn from and alongside of one another, and seek to share a sense of whānaugnatanga. A big part of what we are learning is about how to be kaitiakitanga, to show trusting manaakitanga amongst our whānau and wider community. We believe that nature truly is our teacher and initiatives such as this enable us to challenge our practice, to explore and expand our learning, and to celebrate te ao, te reo and tikanga Māori with mana.

If Te Reo was more integrated in learning at school during my upbringing I would of being able to keep it going and pass it onto my children. I've started an online course this year and plan to have my children grow up with it.

Tēnā tātou katoa, We want to help celebrate and promote Te Reo Māori within our kura environment, waiata is an easy way to do this. The space we are choosing to do this is in is our chapel. The picture included is of our Year 13 , 2019 Global Living Tikanga Programme and was taken an Rehua Marae.

Rangi Ruru

Our children are learning Maori as a second language and I think it is important that they know that Maori can, and should be spoken and used everyday. They will also be able to see other people speaking, listening to, writing, and/or reading Te Reo Maori and those people will not all be Maori and they won't all be at school, but coming from all walks of life. I would also like my children to know that it is cool to korero in maori and that they have a very unique opportunity to function at school, in Te Reo.

Tania

There are quite a few connections between te reo Māori and Vietnamese language that I find really interesting. As a primary teacher in NZ, I can understand how vital it is to maintain a learning environment immersed in Māori language in day to day life.

I am pākehā, and my children struggle to understand the relevance of te reo Māori. I have explained the why, but I need to do more to embed the use of Māori in our every day lives. It is a taonga shared by tangata whenua and it should be valued as such.

I am currently learning Te Reo Māori (level 5) with a desire to better integrate the kaupapa and tikanga in my work, it has also been a spiritual journey of reconnecting with my whakapapa and coming to terms with where I fit in my own history and in this cultural landscape of Aotearoa (Ko Ngāti Pākehā, ko Ngāti Hainamana ngā iwi). I love whaikorero, mihi, karakia and waitata, as well as kapahaka. I have struggled with my "everyday Reo" but am building my confidence in my conversational abilities, and have enjoyed sharing wānanga/noho experiences to immerse myself in the language. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

Anna

I have a goal to be fluent (enough) in 3 years in Te Reo and am already 8 months underway :)

Sandie

I have poor language skills but recognize I must push myself to learn Maori as it is an official language of aotearoa.

Reclaiming identity.

Anihera

I think Te reo is such an important part of NZ and being a New Zealander. Even though I can not speak te reo I try and learn a few words and improve my pronunciation every year .

Jackie

Mai i te Kōpae ki te Urupa tātou ako tonu ai. From the cradle to the grave we are always learning. There is always an opportunity to do better, to learn more and to honour our histories. I want my children to grow up in a New Zealand where the Māori language holds a strong and visible place in every corner of our country.

For our tamariki. For those for whom Te Ao Māori is their world, for those who have lost their connection with Te Ao Māori and for those who need to develop an understanding of Te Ao Māori so that we can truly work towards becoming a bicultural people.

Sharyn

Because te reo Maori is special and unique to tangata whenua. NZ is the only place that can revive it. Our Maori children need to know and understand their language and culture to support their sense of identity and well-being. Normalising te reo Maori will assist to heal the past trauma that Maori have endured, and will help to "right" the "wrongs" that occurred. It needs to become compulsory in all schools - bilingualism will only benefit our tamariki and country.

Kelly

I have started my journey (be it a long one) to learn te Reo so I can korero to my whanua. So why not embrace it during Maori language week

Because I am Maori, I love my culture, I love the music and I want my daughter to love our culture too!

Am learning te reo

Lynda

So te reo maori is never forgotten/lost and is identified/recognised as the native language of New Zealand. It belongs here and will be spoken here and implemented here into everyday life such as education, sports, health, justice, religions and various social economic levels

Rowan

Te Reo Māori is our taonga. I am a migrant but have recently gained citizenship. I see Te Reo as something unique and precious to Aotearoa that must be safeguarded. I want to ply my part in this.

I want to be a part of the Māori language moment/ week because I want to continue the growth of the Māori language and ways. I'm learning Te Reo myself at the moment so that I can teach my tamariki in the future the same language and ways. Tino nui toku aroha ki te reo Māori.

I am of māori, Chinese, Pakeha decent and am tired of being told that I am not māori enough. I want to know my history and where my whānau came from because I love family history. I love culture in general and I want to be able to connect with my people. Instead over the years I have been mocked, shamed and embarrassed publicly. I am proud to be māori. And I want to understand my culture on a new level

Janay

Toku tupuna

Our language is very important to me and a journey I am currently on.

I have recently joined the inclusion council with my place of work. We celebrate te wiki o te reo maori every year but things die out after the week is over. I want te reo to be within the workplace more often than just one a year for a week.

Tania

I want to learn Te Reo so I can connect with Maori people and and Maori culture

Sophie

The heartbeat of my son! The pride of my tane! The blood of my whakapapa!

Watched Jenny May interview Professor Rawinia Higgins on Morning Report. Set a challenge for our Whanau - me korero i te reo i nga wa harikoa🥳Panui ki toku Whanau - he kaupapa matua ko nga Hoia o te 28th Maori Battalion. Me whakarongo ki nga Kaikorero o Te Hiku o te Ika me Ngati HineMatakitaki ki Te Karere ia ra.

He reo no oku tipuna, na ratau i tuku mai hei taonga kia korerohia.

Kura

Wanting to learn to understand and speak my language

Josie

It’s about our future, the future for my moko. We are better, we will be better with Te Reo Mãori as an everyday part of our lives.

I love te reo Maori, It is a powerful te reo and so meaningful to Maori people. It might be hard for me to learn it but I do my best at work (early childhood teacher) and use it on a daily basis and encourage my team to use it as well. I wish to learn more, I wish for more people to participate and enjoy it as much as I do.

Anastasia

I want to be alongside the many New Zealander's who are proud & excited to celebrate our indigenous culture, form enduring relationships and linkages with all cultures across our Nation. Mauriora!

Eileen

Because this beautiful language needs to be spoken, heard and enjoyedp

Olivia

I am currently going to Te Reo classes in the evening and really enjoying it.

Chris

It's important for us all to learn some Māori.

Shirin

I want to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ the Treaty of Waitangi as an immigrant to this country. Having studied at beginner level I want to continue my learning journey with te reo Māori.

Clare

increase my knowledge understanding and use of te reo maori

Christine

Mo Whānau, te mea ai ano e pipiri matou.

Te Reo carries with it the wairua of a culture I respect and honour. The Maori culture imbues NZ with a connection to the land, to our ancestors and to ourselves. I credit the Maori culture with the wider, positive responses we all had to the Christchurch massacres. Thank you. Bless you. Please continue to forgive us.

Nancy

Our ako deserve to know about our local history, to have a place and feel comfortable as Maori learners. We have already started by learning about Tutaeporoporo and creating art work.

I want to learn the language

I want to learn Te reo Maori, so I'm not judged a plastic Maori.

Violet

I have studied te Reo Maori in different ways at different times in my life . . . . . but. . . . I am still not really trying to use it everyday . . . . . I need to keep on learning , trying, . . . . and climb that mountain. . . .

I want to promote Te Reo Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand. I am a Turbaned Sikh born and brought-up in India. Punjabi is my mother tongue and I feel proud speaking it! It is part of who I am :)Similarly, I want Kiwis to learn their mother tongue i. e. Te Reo Maori. The only way we can make them learn and respect their language is to show them the beauty of how rich the history & heritage of Maori language is! This movement is a platform to learn Te Reo Maori in a fun and interactive way. I am myself learning it and getting involved wherever I can. I have also recorded a video speaking Te Reo Maori and would like to share with your team - which can motivate New Zealanders! Due to file size, I am unable to attach here, but can provide on request.

Na taku pēpi e takenga nei au ki te korero ki waiata ki noho i roto i toku ao māori i nga wā katoa mo ake tonu atu!

Never to old to learn and up skill arohanui

i toku tipuranga kahore oku matua i korero i te reo maori, i te wa i whanagai au oku tamariki ka haere au ki Te kohanga Reo mo toku hiahia ki te whakaako oku tamariki i

Fenella

i toku tipuranga kahore oku matua i korero i te reo maori, i te wa i whanagai au oku tamariki ka haere au ki Te kohanga Reo mo toku hiahia ki te whakaako oku tamariki i

Fenella

Reo Māori is the essence of who I am. It is an honour to be speaking the language my tipuna once spoke, and I hope to keep the language alive for the many generations to follow so that my uni will one day be thinking back on my reo as inspiration and motivation to continue to kōrero Māori!

Te Reo Māori is the language of Aotearoa

Kathryn

Because Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Māori has made me into the person that I am today! Everything about it has kept me grounded and it is such a beautiful language to speak and share =).

Katy

Ko ngā rangatahi te hauora o te reo! Me mahi ngā rangatira, kaumatua, kaiako, mātua katoa ki te whakarawe i ngā rangatahi Māori te reo me ngā tikanga Māori. Me whakamāori hoki rātou i taua ki ngā wahi me ngā wā katoa. Ko te whakaako o te reo Māori kei ngā kura tētahi wāhanga o te mahi katoa ki te whakamaori o te reo.

Francine

My daughter is in her first year of rumaki (in Year 7) and while I have some reo, I need to intensify my commitment so that I can continue to tautoko her effectively. I need to challenge myself much more.

To share a beautiful language and get people used to hearing it. ❤

Karen

Being Maori, an not been able to speak or understand the Reo! !

Cynthia

Nō Ingarangi ahau, e ono tekau mā iwa āku tau. I hūnuku mai ahau ki Aotearoa i te tau rua mano mā waru. I tīmata ahau ki te ako i te reo Māori i tērā tau. He aha ai? Nā te mea e pīrangi mātau au i te motu o Aotearoa. Nā te mea ko te reo Māori te reo tuatahi o Aotearoa. Nā te mea he reo ātaahua te reo Māori. Nā te mea he mahi tino ngahau ki ahau te ako i ngā reo. Kia hikohiko tonu ai tōku hinengaro. He maha ngā take. Kia kaha te reo Māori! Kia kaha ngā reo katoa o te ao!

Kay

Accepting te reo Maori is Aotearoa's taonga. Special, unique. Ours to Protect, Celebrate, Support. Everyday. It's ours. Give it a go! Kia kaha, te reo Maori xxx

Anna

Because it makes me feel grounded, connected, included. Because it honours our people. Because it brings us joy when we break into song at court sometimes :-)

I am passionate about Te Reo language and love encouraging others in why it is so important. As a teacher I am in the best position to encourage our young people to embrace this beautiful language. My own journey with Te Reo is slow but I aim to use one language provider or resource each year to upskill. This year I am using the Scott Morrison book.

Jane

Mō taku whānau, hapū, hāpori, iwi me aku tūpuna

Ivan

I'm in education and love showing the kids I work with that I'm a learner, together with them. It makes me proud to identify with a language that is uniquely Aotearoa .

I think many people want to understand more and learn to speak Te Reo, even if it is just basic words. This is the first language of our islands we need to step up and be proud of it's beauty and uniqueness. Singing in a group I feel is a perfect way for people to join in and not feel like they are sounding or saying things wrong. Our group is excited about the version we will be singing.

Margot