Taking pride in NZ’s identity
Chris Smith was envious of his Te Reo Ma¯ ori-speaking friends growing-up.
His Ma¯ ori mates would speak the language but, being of British and Niuean descent, he could not.
Today, the 22-year-old teaches Te Reo Ma¯ ori at Ara Institute of Canterbury and says learning it should be a responsibility of all Kiwis, not just Ma¯ ori.
‘‘I believe it’s important for all New Zealanders. It’s such an important part of our culture, our history and our society.
‘‘For me, it’s one of the only things that separates us from Britain, Australia or Canada. To me, it’s a point of pride that we have this culture.
‘‘Most people’s first experience of it is a haka before a rugby match and I didn’t feel right feeling proud of it when I didn’t know anything about it.’’
Smith is in the final year of his teacher training, with the aim of teaching Te Reo Ma¯ ori in secondary school.
Although his first introduction to the language was at Waltham Primary School, he said it wasn’t until he went to Cashmere High School that his love for Te Reo truly developed.
‘‘My first experience with Te Reo Ma¯ ori was in primary school but it was very minimal, I think that’s quite common for a lot of New Zealanders.
‘‘At high school, I started with a really basic level of Te Reo Ma¯ ori and it just grew gradually and my love for Te Reo grew gradually as well.’’
He went on to study a degree in Te Reo Ma¯ ori and indigenous studies at Ara Institute of Canterbury, and it was there his love for the subject really ‘‘skyrocketed’’.
‘‘As I became more immersed in the language, I began to think what an amazing part of our culture it is.
‘‘I feel like it’s an important thing and I want to pass it on to other people as well.’’