Discovering identity and connection through te reo Māori

Originally from Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Riu moved to Whakatū (Nelson) during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"My partner and I both lost our jobs and decided to make the move here. It was an opportunity to start fresh, especially with my elderly aunt living nearby," she says.  

This new chapter led her to embrace a long-held desire to reconnect with her Māori roots and learn te reo Māori. 

Riu’s journey at NMIT started three years ago with Te Pōkaitahi Reo/New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Level 1).(external link) Alongside several other ākonga, she has progressed through each level and is now part of a close-knit group in the Te Pōkairua Reo/ New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Level 5).(external link) 

“It's been like an extended whānau here at Te Toki Pakohe, NMIT,” Riu says.  

Although going back to study as an adult has its challenges, Riu has always wanted to connect with her roots and learn about her heritage. 

“My generation didn’t learn much reo in school,” she says. “I always wanted to learn later but I had no idea how to pursue it or where to look.” 

“Study was never that high on my to-do list, but as you get older your roots often come to mind and that was the extra push I needed to discover the options and begin my learning journey,” Riu says. 

Another catalyst was her partner, who is from Ethiopia. "I started learning a bit of his language, and then I thought, ‘How can I learn another language when I don’t even know my own?’ That was the final push for me.” 

Studying te reo Māori has done more than teach Riu a language—it’s provided her with a sense of belonging.  

“Growing up, my family didn't talk much about our Māori heritage, and there wasn't enough information to solidify connections. Now, learning tikanga and more about te ao Māori makes me feel closer to my tipuna. It's like finding an inner connection and has encouraged me to continue learning." 

Riu describes her experience at NMIT as friendly, welcoming, and supportive. "The kaiako constantly remind you about the support available, and the environment feels so encouraging,” she says. 

Learn more about our Mātauranga Māori programmes(external link) at NMIT, which include kura pō (evening) and kura rā (fulltime) options, in Nelson, Marlborough and Motueka.