Te reo Māori revitalisation builds bridges across generations
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Across Aotearoa New Zealand, more people are learning te reo Māori, strengthening connections between generations and fostering understanding between Māori and Pākehā, people of European descent.
Rebecca Jerram, a fifth-generation Pākehā, began learning the language five or six years ago to better understand the partnership between the two cultures and feels a responsibility to future New Zealanders to do so. She believes Pākehā should actively learn about te ao Māori, the Māori world, and te taiao, the natural environment.
Facu Cuello, an Argentinian who moved to New Zealand three years ago, prioritized learning te reo Māori upon arrival, viewing it as the native language of the country and a way to honour the culture. He hopes others will share his perspective and contribute to the language’s revitalization.
For Māori learner Aidan Te Whata, reconnecting with te reo Māori is a personal journey to overcome negative attitudes he encountered growing up and rediscover his whakapapa, genealogy, and connection to his ancestors, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Rongowhakaata and Ngāpuhi. Te Whata and others are part of a generation actively working to revitalize the language, not simply recover a lost one.
Jerram notes that learning te reo can help bridge divisions within the country and offer a sense of calm during turbulent times, urging her generation to support this ongoing change driven by Māori themselves.
