We’ve had the privilege of Ariana Stevens from Reo Māori Mai creating some affirmations for those of us on our reo journey.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori! For many, this week is a time to celebrate, to be proud, and to share in the speaking of our reo rangatira. For others, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori can bring up mixed feelings. 

Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, true, but shouldn’t we celebrate te reo Māori all year round? Maybe it’s a hard reminder of language loss and colonial history for you. Maybe you feel all these things at once, and that’s totally okay.

That difficult colonial history (and ongoing colonisation of our whenua, reo and people today) make for a bumpy road for those of us on our reo journeys. 

I think of all the barriers that come with learning and speaking te reo Māori. Barriers of time and money, barriers of access, gate keeping and challenging conversations with other whānau members. 

To speak te reo Māori is a huge privilege, and I am filled with admiration for everyone who I see taking back our reo in our whānau and hapori.

We’ve had the privilege of having Ariana Stevens from Reo Māori Mai create some affirmations for those of you on your reo journey. 

These words have been written as something for you to say to yourself so that you remember your connection to this reo. Read on for affirmations and their translations. There's a version for Māori, and a version for haumi (that’s allies, tauiwi, Pākehā)

He Māori ahau - I am Māori 

Ahakoa te aha - no matter what 

Ka ārahina ahau - I am guided 

e taku ngākau māhaki - by humility 

e taku aroha pūmau - by my enduring respect 

ki ōku tūpuna - for those who came before 

ki āku uri - for those who will follow

ki te ao e noho nei au - for the world I live in

Nā te mea - because

He Māori ahau - I am Māori 

Ahakoa te aha - no matter what

He haumi ahau - I am an ally

Ahakoa te aha - no matter what 

Ka ārahina ahau - I am guided 

e taku ngākau māhaki - by humility 

e taku aroha pūmau - by my enduring respect 

ki ōku tūpuna - for those who came before 

ki āku uri - for those who will follow

ki te ao e noho nei au - for the world I live in

Nā te mea - because

He haumi ahau - I am an ally

Ahakoa te aha - no matter what 

Check out this video here for a guide on pronunciation.

Ariana has a website with lots of cool resources for those of you at any stage of learning te reo Māori. Check out the Reo Māori Mai website here. They’re on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube too.