Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: Whanganui schools see only one option regarding Te Reo in education

Tawhero School principal Karleen Marshall said having Te Reo taught in schools is one way of rectifying some of the inequalities previous generations have faced. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui schools feel there is only one option when it comes to Te Reo Māori and its place in the education system. With Te Wiki o te Reo Māori well under way, Logan Tutty talks to principals and teachers about Te Reo's place in schools, the importance of sharing and instilling it into our tamariki and how teachers have taken it upon themselves to lead the way.

Tawhero School principal Karleen Marshall said Te Reo Māori was extremely important to not just their curriculum, but everyday customs and interactions.

"Between 86 and 90 per cent of our roll is made up of tamariki Māori so we like to celebrate our culture and language here.

"We start every single day with a karakia and waiata, which is a celebration. We know it is the first language of the country so we do our very best to offer access to the language. It is really key."

All teachers at Tawhero have enrolled in a Ministry of Education-led programme called Te Ahu o te Reo Maori, designed to give teachers a greater understanding of the reo (language) to return to their classrooms, immersing students in the knowledge they've developed.

"We are the only school in New Zealand with their entire staff enrolled. They love it. They love the opportunity and idea of upgrading their skills."

Marshall said in this day and age, entrenching kaupapa Māori ideas in tamariki was vitally important.

"To rectify the inequities and inequalities in our society, this is one way to do that.

"It is essential we normalise Te Reo Māori in mainstream schools."

Rutherford Junior High School principal Diane Henare said there was "no option" but to have Te Reo taught in schools.

Rutherford Junior High School principal Diane Henare says having Te Reo in schools is absolutely essential. Photo / Bevan Conley

"It's just what we have to do. We should be doing it and should be wanting to do it. It's not a tick box thing, there is no tokenism.

"I think for kids themselves, it is really important around culture and identity and for them to be whole and have that holistic perspective. It's a given for me as a principal, a given for us as a board, but also a given for my staff as well."

Rutherford's Kaiako o Te Reo Talia Poutini-Lawrence said more than 70 students had this week undertaken the Mahuru Māori challenge, greeting and farewelling in Te Reo Māori each day.

"Overall our kura has been great supporters of our native language. We participate in whole school waiata, karakia and occasionally fun-filled Māori hand and number games.

"Leading into Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, our students have confidently sailed through this week which has been a joy to see."

Poutini-Lawrence said students were making the most of new and innovative ways that made learning Te Reo engaging and exciting.

"The likes of music. We have a lot of Māori music coming out. In this music, they create a moment that captures the young generation.

"The digital platforms have helped a lot."

Henare said when she was growing up, her school would focus on Te Reo for just the week, before scrapping everything until the following year. She has ensured that doesn't happen at Rutherford.

"That goes across the whole year. For kids, it's normal. It's totally normalised here.

"We still have a long way to go, but there is a much deeper awareness about honouring the Treaty and having that partnership in place."

Whanganui City College's Māori Department head Teresa Tepania said they had been running daily Te Reo challenges for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

"It is really important. We get a lot of kids who come from Māori immersion schools, so it is important that they are able to keep their language going and further extend themselves.

"It is also important for kids who haven't had as much exposure to Te Reo Māori or te ao Māori in general. We try and cater to all of our kids, no matter who they are or where they come from."

Tepania started with City College in May, and her role includes teaching Te Reo across all year groups, tutor of the Kapa Haka group and other subjects that fall under the Te Reo Māori umbrella.

Te Reo was once a compulsory subject at City College for Year 9 students, but that is no longer the case.

"There were about 80 Year 9s in the class and it was just a bit too much. It also just took away the freedom of choice for kids who wanted to pursue other subjects."

While it is no longer compulsory, City College is offers students multiple avenues to learn about Te Ao Māori.

"The school recognises it is an important part of the culture of New Zealand as well as our kids' identities.

"The students are recognising it is something they want in their lives and their learning. They want to know more, they want more. Especially for our kids who missed out on that in their previous schooling. We want to give the kids what they want in terms of Te Reo Māori."

A number of teachers at the school have started their own Te Reo journeys, which will allow them to weave in and normalise the use of Māori in all classes across the school.

"I think it is really, really awesome. They are taking time out of their home life to study the language. We have started a group of teachers and we get together weekly to have catch ups in Te Reo Māori. So that is something really, really positive."