Whanau is most important to me. We now have a mokopuna but I am not allowed to show her.
I first learned some reo about 33 years ago at Wintec where we were taught using the Rakau method- " he aha te tae o tenei rakau? I then went to other night classes to learn some more and also attended University classes since I was teaching at Te Whare Wananga o Waikato. Some of my teachers there were Timoti Karetu, Murumara Moorfield, Te Haumihiata Mason and I got to meet Hirini Melbourne, Te Wharehuia Milroy and others. It was all thoroughly enjoyable and the staff were very friendly and welcoming (well except Sam!). I have been able to use my Maori on many occasions where understanding of protocols and expressions were important( eg te wa o te mua for the past). Waikato is currently having a review of structural racism in the institution which review is being promoted by the Dean Brendan Hokowhitu(FRS), the Tohunga, Pou Temara and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith. I am tautoko to one of the current Maori staff in her submission to the review and am submittting myself on serious racist effects in the Wananaga.
I believe Maori language would be more easily learned through waiata and focusing on the language structures in the waiata since it involves action learning- just a thought.
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