September 13, 2022
Urban Maori role in reo revival celebrated
Waipareira head John Tamihere says it was urban Maori who led the fight to revitalise te reo Maori.
Ko Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori inaianei – it’s Māori Language Week – which aims to inspire New Zealanders to speak the Māori language proudly.
Mr Tamihere says he came from a generation affected by the suppression of the language that came with colonisation.
“Ninety five percent of those who had led marches, went on petitions and who were activists in that were urban Maori people who wanted to seek a way to reconnect to their language,” he says.
Mr Tamihere says his children and those of his west Auckland neighbours were among the first to go through kohanga reo and kura kaupapa, giving te reo Maori a fresh start.