Performers should go to kura reo MP

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell is calling for people to go to Maori language school before performing kapa haka.
Mr Flavell made the call in a recent speech during which he explored the social impact kapa haka could have on the retention of te reo Maori.
Mr Flavell made the speech at a recent symposium held by the National Maori Language Institute at the Auckland University of Technology Nga Wai o Horotiu Marae. He said it could make a lot of difference if every performer at the national kapa haka festival Te Matatini was asked to attend kura reo (Maori language school) before they were eligible to perform.
The regional and national kapa haka competitions and Manu Korero speech competitions attract thousands of performers and spectators every year.
Mr Flavell said findings by Paul Whitinui in a doctoral thesis at the University of Waikato concluded that the most effective way to improve levels of Maori student participation was interest, attendance, engagement, association and success.
"Kapa haka is a living part of a living culture, the business of every day," Mr Flavell said.
"The question I believe we need to ask ourselves is whether we are just doing kapa haka for the performance or is it about transformation?" he said.
"Just imagine if every performer at Te Matatini was asked to attend kura reo before they were eligible to perform.
"What sort of a shift that would make in the retention of our reo," he said.
Te Arawa weaponry exponent, and kapa haka leader of Te Matarae I O Rehu Wetini, Mitai-Ngatai said kapa haka was what initially attracted the younger generation to the Maori culture, but the language retention had always been the main focus.
"A kura reo shouldn't be compulsory for performers but it would be a good idea. Anything to keep the language alive is important," he said.
Rotorua Boys' High School and Girls' High School Raukura female kapa haka leader and 2010 national kaitatakiwahine (female) leader Taria Ngawhika said she had performed kapa haka since a young age.
She admitted that she could not speak fluent te reo Maori.
"I would like to further expand on my te reo when I leave school and think the idea of a kura reo for Matatini performers is a good idea,"she said.
"It would have been ideal to have learnt more te reo Maori in primary and I think if there was ever going to be a kura reo, it should start at the primary kapa haka level."
"Perhaps that way those like myself who can't speak fluent Maori will be able to perform better because we will have a better understanding of what we are performing about," she said.