Hello, Kia Ora. Welcome, Haere Mai.
My name is Matthew and I am a university student based in Auckland, New Zealand whose task it is to create a discussion blog about a topic or issue that is relevant to today's society. I have chosen the topic of Te Reo Māori being compulsory in New Zealand schools as part of the New Zealand curriculum as I believe it is an important issue for the future of our country as well as for the future of the Māori language itself.
I believe it is relevant to mention that I am of New Zealand European descent (Pakeha). I am not Māori and have no known Māori ancestors, yet I am still for the Māori language being compulsory in all English-medium New Zealand schools from Year 1 to Year 13. In this blog, I will be using various resources to show you why I think this is important, and at times I will play the devil's advocate in order to show issues on the 'other side of the fence', so to speak, and to get the discussion going.
Thank you for reading and until next time, ka kite ano.
Hey Matt, It's your sister Jess.
ReplyDeleteJust letting you know.. On dads side we are VERY European, I remember going though the family tree album with Nana, Maori are married into that side of the family but dad's side never actually had maori blood passed down, if you get my drift.
On Mums side, We are part Maori and part African American. Remember that picture mum had of that very black man, probably as black as the background on this blog , He was "Granddad Thompson", Our great grandfather, also somewhere in there (I can't remember how) we are african american, actual negro. And just so you know, we are both a 16th of each, so not much.
But knowing all this, and living in New Zealand, I love and respect our Maori heritage. Our European decedents have lived here for years. We moved into this land, we should respect the culture, but definitely not the culture it has turned into.
I say the Maori should be compulsory in schools. I'm disappointed in The Maori culture for not loving and learning their own language, one day I think it will be a lost language, not because of the European taking over, but because of the lack of love Maori have for their culture.
For example, in France, they speak many languages, just because they learn english, doesn't mean they give up their own language does it? Nope, because it is apart of who they are, and they know that.
Thanks for your comment, Jessie.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, it sure is interesting to see I actually have some Maori (and African American!) blood in me. I will have to look it up! However in saying that, it is still only a very small part and because I have been raised in a Pakeha household, I don't think that that has influenced me.
You made some good points and I plan on using some of the arguements you mentioned in future posts. For example, you are right about the French, and Europeans in general, being very good at other languages and I think it all comes down to the fact that they are COMPULSORY in those countries.
Hey Matt, I really agree with you! I did Maori in third form and enjoyed it, but I suppose I got carried away with all my drama and music and stuff so I never got back to it. If it were compulsory it would mean that wouldn't happen, it wouldn't be left by the wayside. I still want to learn it but it feels like I never have the time. But now that I'm teaching drama this term I have to teach some Maori songs for this play I'm helping to direct and it would be so much better if I was fluent!
ReplyDelete- Claire
I think it's a very good subject to discover and I agree with you too... It is sad and revolting to see this beautiful Polynesian language dying! Coming from Tahiti we encounter the same problem with the Tahitian language, Te Reo Maohi. It is compulsory but only in primary schools, then in high school it becomes facultative. You can learn the language if you like but most of the students don't choose Tahitian because it's not as "cool" as Spanish or Mandarin... It should be COMPULSORY, these high school students will be grateful when they realise how precious Maori language is to NZ's cultural identity. I think it's a shame to let our culture's extinction happen. If the language dies it will unfortunately take a part of the culture away.
ReplyDeleteps: very interesting family history! ;)