OPINION
I am a brutaliser of the Māori language. My Pākehā tongue fails to adequately wrap around the words, and I tend to butcher them in creative and violent ways. I wasn’t brought up being exposed to much te reo, and so for the most part I find it difficult and frustrating. But I am baffled by recent attacks on incorporating more te reo into New Zealand society.
Politicians complaining about bilingual signs or Māori names are either the worst of us or simply appealing to the worst of us. And while I take some pleasure in nudging errant politicians, I figured that today I’d hold back on throwing stones and instead give the reasons why I think te reo is important and beneficial.
There is an argument to say that for vocational reasons, other languages are more important to learn than Māori, and in many instances that’s certainly true. But for occupations like mine and in which I lecture - criminal justice - engagement with Māori is vital. As I tell my students, understanding the Māori language is a massive advantage. I wish I had learned more as a youngster, when it’s far easier, because I would now be better at my job. Young people today, with the extra exposure to te reo, will be far better off in a number of different careers. And those Pākehā who know more te reo will be far, far more likely to be offered jobs in a number of areas.
Frankly, though, it isn’t about career progression as to why I believe the Māori language should be better promoted; it’s about creating a unique sense of New Zealand identity.