I am definitely part of the Te Reo Movement because I did not learn Maori growing up. My Mum was one of those, her parents did not speak English. When the native school started, my Mum went to school and she was beaten for speaking Maori there. When she returned home, she was beaten for speaking English. She could see the evolvement of Te Ao Pakeha taking place, and as she started having children, she decided that she wanted to prepare her 9 children for the Pakeha World, which meant, go to the Pakeha school, Learn English education, and NOT LEARN TE REO MAORI!!!!! She did not believe that learning Maori was going to help in this ever evolving Pakeha World!!! I got to High School, there was a Maori Option class, I fought with my Mum in regards to learning Maori, she did not agree at first, however, I insisted that I WAS MAORI, AND IT IS MY RIGHT TO LEARN MY LANGUAGE!!! Eventhough this was going on with my Mum and I, I later learnt and understand where she was coming from, and I am grateful for the Pakeha Knowledge that I gained throughout my life! However, He Maori Ahau, No Aotearoa ahau, na te Whenua ahau, E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea....
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