I have been trying to learn te reo rangatira because:

1. it's a truly beautiful language.

2. it is passed down from the ancestors, even though it's changed over the years.

3. It is the language of this land, as important as nga rakau me nga manu, nga maunga me nga moana.

4. If we lose the language we lose our souls.

5. It is an important reflection of who we are, who we were and who we will proudly become.

6. Our tamariki and rangtahi have a right to hold and speak their anguage, so we must be kaitiaki and make sure to save it like any other taonga,

7. It's one of the official languages of Aoteaora and the more people who learn it, the more importance it will have in the wider world.

8. But mainly because it calls to me and claims me and I want it to be part of my life.