May 14, 2019
Whānau focus for reo revivalist
The newest member of Māori language support body Te Mātāwai says encouraging whānau to speak te reo is critical to the success of the kaupapa.
Reikura Kahi, the chair and member of Te Matatini winner Ngā Tūmanako, is a Māori language consultant and a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori.
Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta says she is one of the first generation kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura graduates and she will bring that unique rangatahi perspective to the Board.
Ms Kahi says it's no longer about saving a dying reo any more, as her tamariki only speak Māori and she knows many full speaking immersion whānau.
"If you look at whānau from my generation, absolutely we have moved on but how do we support communities, not only iwi communities but also urban communities in helping them find their potential speaking Māori or finding ways they can increase reo within their whānau because it is whānau where we need Māori speakers more than anywhere else," Ms Kahi says
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