MAORI NEED TO SHOUT OUT

About Te Reo. But sorry, blaming the government for the slow down in those learning is silly - the argument is not going to wash. Seriously the Waitangi Tribunal has lost all credibility with this one. Maori themselves need to take responsibility for making the language a much more important part of their strategic future.

Its up to whanau, hapu, iwi to work out ways to increase the usage now. With rights come responsibility. And while Maori earned the right to have their language made official in NZ it is now their responsibility to promote its usage.

However we think that while the classical Te Reo may be losing favour and interest with the young, both Maori and pakeha are peppering the conversation with words drawn from Maori.

The blending of the two languages has been astounding in the last decade or so.

We have :

Going to get a kai

Having a moi

Whanau is common

Marae

Ae for yes

Korero for discussion

Kapai for good

Mana respect

Potae for hat

Hui for a gathering

are just a few that are now well entrenched in NZ culture.

Although every now and then someone gets it wrong, and sometime our pronunciation leaves people scratching we are all more relaxed about the usage of Te Reo.

And so we should be. Nothing is static. Society changes and while we see that holding fast to Maori as a language is a laudable goal, a common conversation that borrows from both is a sign of the maturation of our society.

So it is kapai to korero the reo but the real mana for Maori will be when they say ae its our problem and our whanau is going to make it a priority.

WHALE NEEDS TO LEARN TE REO

We thought this was a lovely story this morning , the language that was used in the blockbuster movie Avatar was in fact partially based on Maori.
We think that's very very cool. It will help promote the language - which tourists who come here love to try out.
So we reckon that Whale has been playing with his dork - and unlike most of his yarns he got a serious fact wrong. Hana O'Regan is a woman and as a dusky mate of our said - a bloody stroppy one at that. She is a staunch advocate of Te Reo - a keeper of the linguistic fires of our people and we have enormous respect for her in that regard.

So she will not be a lone voice - in fact she echos the growing chorus of young Maori who look for new and innovative ways to preserve the Maori language which can now be translated by Google.

That James Cameron chose Maori as the basis for the Avatar language is something all New Zealanders should be proud of.

The tourist spin off for Aotearoa from this movie have yet to be exploited but any exposure will increase opportunities.

So Whale -tēnā rūkahu tēnā, you are wrong - there is no shame in the world doing a little korero Maori.

We will all be a little whakapai for it.

SHE WHO KNOWS BEST SAYS LAWS IS A JERK.

We consulted the wise one, MUM. She declared LAWS is a Jerk and they kids from the Kura who appeared on Close Up were great. So as the pakeha daughter of a Scottish plumber for Southland, we reckon that she is the final arbiter of who is right and wrong in this sorry saga.

For the record the old man thinks the kids were great. But he likes Michael Laws. He also liked Winston. We are expecting a power of attorney will need to be arranged soon.

Poor mum....

TRANSLATION

Here is a translation of one of the key letters that so irked Laws. And like all translations it loses a bit in the process.

Evidently he is now offering to meet with the letter writers and have a cup of tea and a chat.

We hope he has a good long lie down before he does.

This is Ngrui writing to you.

I go to Otaki School and I am in the Te Korowai Whakamana whanau (class).

I am writing to you about changing the spelling of Wanganui to Whanganui.

I am really angry with you because there is no reason not to make the change. The only reason you have

against the change is the cost. Money!

In my view, the change should be made. If that's what the people of Whanganui want - change it! Its

their land, they are the people of the land. The Treaty of Waitangi states that all taonga in Aotearoa must

be protected

There is authority and meaning in the name Whanganui. Whanga - means harbour and nui means big.

Thus, 'big harbour'. What is the meaning of 'wanga'?

So, the challenge has been made - respond!

WE ARE SORRY.

To the Tamariki of Te Kura Tuatahi O Otaki.

We am writing to you on behalf of all the good New Zealanders we know, who are dismayed and ashamed at Michael Laws response to your letter expressing concern about his position over the spelling of Whanganui.

Now, the issue for us is not about the spelling of the town, there are vigorous arguments on both sides.

No, we are ashamed that Laws has chosen to attack you rather than seeking to inform you of the reasons for his position. He has acted not like a Mayor but a petulant child.

We are so proud of you. Proud, that as young men and women you have the passion and the courage, the intellect and the skills to write to Mr Laws telling him how you feel in te Reo Māori.

We know that it is that sort of passion and the courage to stand up and say what you think is wrong that will make you leaders of tomorrow.

We know that you will be feeling angry at Mr Laws, but don’t.

You will meet many people like him in the course of your lives. They seek high office because they are fundamentally narcissistic. (There’s a word that is worthy of some study).

He cares not for people but just the sound and impact of his words. It is where he draws his strength and his income. He is like a shallow dirty little puddle.

You, however are the deep rivers of thought and power that will change our nation.

You are not and will never be like him. You are speaking from the heart. You have thought the issue through with your sharp young minds and wrote your feelings and argument well.

Stand tall and be proud, always question, never be afraid of the barbs of the sad and fatuous little men like Michael Laws. He is to be pitied. He is a failed politician of the past.

You are our future.