Kaanihi Butler-Hare
He tamaiti nō te kohu, he raukura māhaki nō te Maunga Tītōhea.
Share your experience as a Pūkenga (Tutor) of Te Ahu o te Reo Māori.
Inā tonu te āhuatanga o te piki wairua, o te ngākau hiakai e iere ana i ngā arero a te hunga pīkoko ki te reo Māori. Nā te hiakai o tēnei hunga, i ora anō ahau i taku reo Māori.
Having had this opportunity has been a wairua uplifting experience. I have developed a stronger connection for te reo Māori, as well as a hunger to further share and deliver engaging and mana enhancing akoranga (learning) to those willing to take our reo into their manawa (heart).
What responsibilities come with being a Champion of te reo Māori?
Ko te responsibility e kiia nei, ko te āta whāngai ki tētahi kāre anō kia tuku i tōna ngākau ki te reo.
Ki ahau nei, a Reo Champion's biggest responsibility is sharing ones own passion onto others who are yet to allow it to be their passion.
What are your words of encouragement to potential participants who may be hesitant or anxious?
Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te rawea. In order to welcome te reo in your heart, you have to feel the fear e kare mā and always understand that the language came from the mauri of the land. Tangata whenua purely have an inherent duty to foster and ensure it stays on for generations.
I te mutunga mai o te rā, mena rānei tētahi e māharahara ana, tukuna kia māharahara! Kātahi ka āta whāngai i te huhua o ngā hua o tēnei kaupapa, kia kite rānō taua tangata i ngā āhuatanga e whai hua ana ki a ia.