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Chef Al Brown on learning te reo Māori - and understanding himself

Kim Knight
By
Senior journalist and restaurant critic·NZ Herald·
11 mins to read

When Al Brown signed up to study te reo he didn't expect the biggest things he learned to be about himself. Kim Knight shares a Matariki feast with the chef, his tutor and their whānau.

The white man with glasses and a cap takes a deep breath: "Kia ora!" he says, as confidently as he can.

Later, in the corporate training room, he introduces himself - Al from the Depot. Okay, thinks the tutor Hepa Lolesi. He must be a

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