Last week, we joined kura, whaanau and multiple organisations across the motu as we do our part to uphold the mana of te Reo Maaori by getting involved with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. We prioritise this event because in 1865, Euphrasie Barbier was already speaking with a clarity about te reo Maaori that still challenges us today. She wrote:
He mihi teenei ki te whaanau whaanui
Kia ora e te whaanau,
“Maa te waa ka kite taatou i te hua o aa taatou mahi tahi.”
In time, we will see the fruit of our collective efforts.
Last week, we joined kura, whaanau and multiple organisations across the motu as we do our part to uphold the mana of te Reo Maaori by getting involved with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. We prioritise this event because in 1865, Euphrasie Barbier was already speaking with a clarity about te reo Maaori that still challenges us today. She wrote:
“As for our Māori girls, I would be very upset if this work should fail and so, I beg you that the Sisters who are involved in this work learn the language… these children should be taught the catechism, the prayers and songs in Māori. It should have been done.”
Her words remind us that learning te reo Maaori is not an optional extra – it is the heart of te ao Maaori, cultural identity, belonging and our faith. So at a time when some voices seek to minimise the place of te ao Maaori, we stand with Euphrasie’s conviction: learning and speaking te reo Maaori is an act of respect, justice and connection. It is part of who we are as a Catholic school, and a part of how we whakamana te rangatahi Maaori entrusted to us.
Just as Euphrasie expected her Sisters to learn te reo, we continue to weave it through our classrooms, corridors and community – in every greeting, every waiata and every response in the Mass, these small, daily acts ensure that te reo Maaori thrives here as a taonga and as a birthright for all tauira… it should be done – and it will continue to be done.
And something else that should be done, as we reach the end of another term: study. The cherry blossoms may be beautiful, but they are also a gentle reminder to our Seniors that exam season is upon us. Here’s a suggestion: switch off the internet, control the scroll, sacrifice the socialising and practise the performance. Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro – self-discipline is challenging, but the virtue of consistent effort is always rewarded.
For those of you travelling – kia haumaru te harare – have a safe holiday – one day at a time.
Ngaa manaakitanga