Before I even got to New Zealand I started to experience the immense integration of the Maori culture within New Zealand. I was greeted in multiple emails from the New Zealand faculty saying “Kia Ora”. From the context of the emails I could make the assumption that this was a greeting, however, I didn’t look into what language this greeting was and where it came from exactly. I quickly learned when I got to New Zealand that it was hello in the Maori language. Here is the long story short.... The Maori are the native people in New Zealand. In the early 1800s the English were trying to colonize in New Zealand. They eventually created The Treaty of Waitangi which was signed in 1840 by numerous Maori chiefs. However, the English translation and the Maori translation has different meanings for the treaty. The English began to take advantage of the Maori and the agreements of the treaty disappeared for numerous years. Eventually the Maori people were able to fight back and clarify and ratify the treaty with the English. This then lead to Maori being a part of the New Zealand curriculum and taught in every school. For those who want to know more here is a better explanation of the history of the Treaty of Waitangi. One of the first things I noticed in my classroom at Swanson was the amount of Te Reo (Maori language) posted on the walls. There were translations for the days of the week, the months, the numbers and more. The language was everywhere. In addition, every morning when the teacher takes roll they say “Kia Ora” and then the persons name. After roll, everyone stands up and we all say the Karakia together. This is a Maori prayer or ritual that we say to start the day. We also say a Karakia to end the day before the students go home. I After we say the Karakia we usually sing a Maori song in Te Reo. The video below is one of our favorites. The student at the front of the room is leading the class in the song. I am also featured struggling trying to follow along. After the Karakia and some songs we usually do mat time where we will go through the days of the week in English and Te Reo. Teachers also frequently ask students to stand up or sit down in Te Reo.
Te Reo and Maori culture is part of the New Zealand norm. I see the language frequently written places like on trains and bathroom doors in public. People frequently use Te Reo words while speaking or greeting others. They also refer to Maori culture a lot and many wear Maori necklaces. One of the greatest parts about all of this is that it is all people that are celebrating the Native New Zealand culture. There are white New Zealand people and brown New Zealand people who all celebrate their country’s native culture. I have learned so much about the Maori culture while being here for this short time and it has had such a positive impact on me. I love the way New Zealand celebrates their native Maori culture in everything and everyday. I think it would be really amazing in the United States took a page from New Zealand’s book and started incorporating more Native American culture in classrooms. The Native Americans were the first Americans and they deserve to have their culture taught and celebrated in all classrooms. Here are pictures of Te Reo in our classroom!
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