Ko wai a Reo Kōrero?
Who is Reo Kōrero?
(Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Whānau a Apanui,
Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu)
Mātanga Reo - Reo Content Manager
Dr. Ruakere Hond
E aku hoa, e aku karanga maha, ko te reo kōrero he tohu reo ora.
I was around reo at a young age but it was never spoken directly to me. At school I learnt reo by reading and writing it not speaking. When I did a two week Te Ataarangi course it all came together. That's when I started to kōrero and that's when I saw the true value of reo immersion. I have been involved with it ever since.
This is the mahi I do because I know it works. It gets people to kōrero, and more importantly, it gets them thinking in Māori — which is essential if we want to be fluent. For me, this is the future of te reo Māori as a living language: building communities where reo Māori is spoken and lived every day. Signing up for courses is one step, but actively participating in shared reo-speaking activities is just as important.
I truly believe Reo Kōrero can be a movement grounded in principles of reo planning. It's not rocket science - it's common sense. But at the same time it's difficult because we need to change language habits and that takes time and commitment. We need a movement to provide support and awareness to be successful. We need a movement to get communities together to kōrero as a part of normal everyday life.
Nau mai e te teina, nau tahi mai e te tuakana, ahakoa i tawhiti, ahakoa i tata, e wherawhera ana ngā tatau o whare nei ki a koutou, takahia te whatitoka o te whare nei o ReoKōrero.
Megan Carewswell-King
Executive Operations Lead
(Ngāi Tahu)
E tahuri nei taku maioha ki a koutou katoa.
Growing up in mainstream Aotearoa I wanted to know who I was as a Māori girl. For me that meant learning my language. Over the years I tried several times but without much success.
In 2019, while I was teaching as a Primary teacher, an opportunity to learn reo Māori presented itself through the kaupapa ‘Te Ahu o te Reo Māori’, taught by Te Ataarangi ki Te Kāhui Maunga using the rākau learning approach.
Today, I am proud to work in this incredible environment and in this rohe bringing our language, Aotearoa’s language, to life through our programmes online and our face-to-face wānanga.
Ka tō te kākano ki te oneone momona ka tupu, ka pua, ka hua, ki te hihi o te rā. He rite ki te reo, ka hua mai te kupu, ka hua mai te tikanga ki te hihi o te ngākau māhaki o Te Ataarangi.
Programme Management Lead
Kelly Potatau
(Ngāti Rākaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa)
Ko au te reo Māori, ko te reo Māori ko au.
I am fortunate that Te Reo Māori is my first language so growing up it was my bread and butter, however after leaving school and moving to Australia for 9 years, I somewhat felt like I lost myself and my identity a bit. I heard the karanga from my tīpuna and so I returned home in 2020 with my son. Since then I have grown a much more appreciation for my language more than ever as I feel now that I took it for granted back then. I am extremely passionate not only about te reo Māori but te aoMāori, why? For all of our tamariki mokopuna, for my tīpuna who fought and fought for us.
Though I am still new to Te Ataarangi and our kaupapa Reo Kōrero, I have been privileged to walk this path for three years. My kuia, Mana Elizabeth Hunkin, known as Whaea Liz Hunkin, is a tino pou of Te Ataarangi and her leadership and unwavering championing of te reo Māori within Ngāti Kahungunu and beyond have inspired me deeply. I am proud and humbled—one of her many mokopuna, walking in her footsteps, carrying the torch of her legacy.
I love our kaupapa and our values. I am grateful to be a part of Te Ataarangi ki Te Kāhui Maunga and be guided by Tākuta Ruakere Hond alongside our wider team to support you all on your reo Māori journey through online classes and face to face
wānanga I am guided by my tīpuna, driven by our tamariki and making mokopuna decisions.
Ka ū taku aro ki kō mai o tawhiti, kia tata mai, kia piri mai tātou hei iwi whai reo, hei reo taketake ki tēnei whenua!
Kāpoi Mathieson
Business Development Lead
(Waikato Tainui, Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Ruanui)
Kei aku hoa tuatinitini, tēnā koutou.
I’ve always had a deep desire to kōrero Māori. That journey truly began when I became involved in the discussions to establish a Māori radio station in Taranaki. Before long, I found myself volunteering to help bring that vision to life.
To support me in my role as a volunteer DJ, I began learning te reo under the guidance of Ruakere Hond, Te Kauhoe Wano, and Riro Pakomio in the 1990s through the Te Tohu Mōhiotanga certificate programme at Taranaki Polytech. Gaining the ability to confidently kōrero was a monumental milestone — especially when I went on to university. It allowed me to fully engage in my rumaki lectures: to question, discuss, and challenge ideas in te reo Māori.
Working with Te Ataarangi ki te Kāhui Maunga is a special and meaningful experience for me. It allows me to continue advancing my reo while giving back to the kaupapa that helped set me on this path. It’s a community-driven kaupapa that feeds the soul.
He ara nui tēnei, he ara roa tēnei ki ōna piki, ki ōna huringa - engari he ara whakapiki reo, whakapiki tikanga, whakapiki wairua.
(Te Whānau-ā-Ruataupare, Rongowhakaata)
Administrator / Online Zoom Facilitator
Parengaio Huhu
Te arohanui rā ki a koutou, e aku hoa, e aku karanga maha.
I had never experienced learning Te Reo Māori until being introduced to Te Ataarangi in the late 90s at Te Wānanga Māori o Rangiātea. It was a way of learning that kept me motivated to continue learning and encouraged me to create a path for reo in my whānau.
Since then, I have enjoyed working in many different opportunities and initiatives of Te Ataarangi, including organising local, community-based wānanga, such as Pūtake Reo. These wānanga provide participants with a safe space to speak Taranaki reo, with learning pathways across three levels of reo proficiency.
Most recently, my reo involvement with Te Ataarangi ki te Kāhui Maunga has included training in the Ara Whakangungu programme, training in the Taiwhirinaki Role for Levels 1and 2 of Te Huanui and training in the Taihuirangi Role, that gives online support and resolves issues within Zoom.
E manawanui nei au ki te tautoko i tēnei taonga, a Te Ataarangi. Nō mātou, otirā nō tātou katoa, te hunga e pūmau ana ki tēnei reo tūturu o Aotearoa.
Online LMS Lead
(Taranaki Iwi, Te Ati Awa)
Rawiri Rātahi
E aku hoa, e aku whanaunga tēnā rā tātou.
For me, I just wanted to work in a kaupapa Māori space, to be somewhere where te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and our kōrero tuku iho are normal and are relevant.
This mahi with Te Ataarangi ki te Kāhui Maunga is an environment that is ever changing and evolving, and growth is encouraged. These programmes and wānanga are definitely the safest environment to learn te reo because we learn by making mistakes along the way. Its a space where you, the learner, are empowered to be in control of your learning and to take your reo use out into your daily life. I support this by managing the online platform that's extra support for you as a speaker of te reo Māori.
Ka mahia te mahi, kia pakari te tangata ki roto i tōna ao, o runga, o raro, māia tonu ana, kaha tonu ana kia tutuki ōna tūmanako mō te reo.
Sonny Rewha
Programme Delivery Facilitator
( Waikato Tainui, He taurima nā Taranaki)
E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo, tēnā koutou katoa.
I am but one of many leaves on the branches of this great tree we call Te Ataarangi. My journey with this kaupapa of Te Ataarangi began in 1995, as a student myself, and in my community. For me, this mahi is more than a role — it is my contribution to honouring the legacy of my ancestors, my whānau, and wider communities, those of today and of tomorrow. The revitalisation of our reo is not just important to me, it is my purpose and energy knowing that when you support the reo journey of others you are also supporting the reo journey of yourself and your whānau.
I know that the reo we give to learners in our kaupapa will not be lost or fade because it is part of a bigger picture to build communities who value and use reo Māori as a reo of identity for Aotearoa.
Nō reirā e te taringa areare, e te waha kōrero, e te ngākau mahaki, tēnā me pakari tātou ki te whakarauora i tō tātou nei reo, ringa mauī purutia, ringa katau purutia, hei reo kōrero ki te ao.
Kia hāngai taku mihi ki a koutou katoa, tēnā koutou.
From a very young age, I knew I was of Māori descent, but I couldn’t understand why no one in my whānau spoke the reo or why we didn’t return to our marae. When I started school, I quickly realised that society didn’t embrace my culture or my people,
and I remember feeling a sense of shame for being Māori.
High school marked the beginning of my journey into Te Ao Māori. It was a challenging and isolating path, but it only strengthened my resolve to reclaim my reo. My goal was clear: I wanted to speak Māori to my future tamariki.
And now, here I am today, with five tamariki Māori, all of whom speak te reo Māori as their first language!
The incredible mahi I’m involved in with Te Ataarangi ki te Te Kāhui Maunga is my way of giving back to the kaiako, the kaimahi, my whanaunga, and fellow akonga who have supported me throughout this ongoing journey of reclaiming what is
rightfully ours.
My hope is to inspire other Māori to reclaim their heritage and pass it on to their mokopuna.
He whāinga nōku tēnei, kia tuku reo mai i taku rourou, e kī ake ai ngā rourou kupu, ngā rourou kōrero o tēnā, o tēnā. Pīkauria ake te rourou hāpai reo he reo kōrero ki te ao.
Programme Delivery Facilitator
(Ngā Ruahinerangi, Te Ātiawa)
Vikki Tawhai
Rana Tamaka
Online Learning Lead
(Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāpuhi)
Ka toro rā āku kupu whakanui ki a koutou, otirā tātou katoa.
As a young child, I always had a strong desire to speak te reo Māori. The moment I truly realised how important it was came when my tamariki started bringing home their homework from Kura Kaupapa — all written in te reo Māori. It saddened me deeply that I couldn’t fully support them at that time, and it made me realise how important it is to reclaim our beautiful taonga.
I was drawn to Te Ataarangi because it was accessible within my community and was grounded in a powerful sense of whanaungatanga. Everyone participates and is valued, and making mistakes isn't scary, it's just a natural part of learning. The rākau-based method resonated with me far more than the traditional pen-and-paper approach. It was through Te Ataarangi that I learnt to kōrero, and I now feel a responsibility to help others walk that same path.
Today, I live in the Wellington area, but this kaupapa keeps me connected to my people in Taranaki. I’m proud to support Te Ataarangi ki Te Kāhui Maunga — I do this by helping to manage our online platform for classes and by teaching in our face-to-face wānanga. It’s a privilege to be part of meaningful and effective reo revitalisation efforts.
Ahakoa pēwhea te iho o te wāwata, te hōhonu o te tūmanako e taea ana. Kaua i tō kotahi engari ki tō hapori, ōu hoa, ōu tino mō te reo me ōna tikanga. Ko au, ko koe ko tāua tahi ki te ara nei.
E te taringa areare, tēnā rā koutou.
I began reclaiming my reo when I had my babies. We began learning together at Kōhanga Reo and I have been dedicated to teaching and learning te reo Māori for 15 years.
I have worked as a kaiwhakaako in many different reo spaces over the years but when I was introduced to Te Ataarangi, I knew that this was the kaupapa reo for me. The values and tikanga that underpin this method of learning and teaching are the values of our tūpuna. These values grow compassion, humility, patience, creativity and positive relationships, as well as growing speakers of te reo Māori. This adds another layer when we think about reclaiming ourselves, our spaces and our reo.
Ko Te Ataarangi tō tātou waka. He waka eke noa, he moana ara rau e tau atu ai ki ō tātou tauranga whaioranga - oranga reo, oranga tangata.
Project Lead
(Ngā Rauru, Ngā iwi o Taranaki, o Whanganui hoki)
Āria Broughton
Sandra Whaanga
Community-based Programme Facilitator
(Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Ati Awa, Taranaki)
E aku nui, e aku rahi, nau mai ki a Reo Kōrero.
I love being reminded of and reliving the ‘long yearned for’ emotional joy students experience when they realise they have been able to understand te reo Māori and respond appropriately – even at their very first class, and even if it is only a very few words! These moments take me back to when I first started learning te reo Māori myself, hence my motivation and inspiration to continue in this mahi.
Learning in the total immersion environment that Te Ataarangi provides encourages students to truly commit themselves to engaging in reo spaces. Once they understand the value of immersion and become familiar with how it supports their confidence as speakers, their progress accelerates.
Even more rewarding is seeing these learners go on to support others with the same desires and principles — helping them to become more confident to kōrero, especially beyond the classroom. You can see them taking control of their own learning, and as a result, they continue to grow and learn even more.
I love being part of the ongoing revitalisation and development of te reo Māori. It’s especially exciting to see that MOST, if not all, of those who come through Te Ataarangi classes and programmes are eager to share and to ‘give back’ to others — just as it was
once given to them. It is humbling and heart-warming to witness that cycle continue.
Ehara te reo i te taonga e huna nei i te pō, engari he taonga tēnei e tika ana kia pākia e te rā, e te ao, e te awatea o te ora. Kāti, kia nui te tuku atu, ka nui noa atu te riro mai.
I have been involved with the kaupapa of Te Ataarangi for over three decades. Throughout this time, I’ve learned from many incredible kaumātua, whose dedication has ensured that everyone feels welcomed into the journey of becoming a reo speaker. To me, this is an inspiring principle that has consistently borne fruit.
Te Ataarangi is a community-based movement that is open to everyone, regardless of background, and that is what continues to inspire me to do this mahi. I work with Reo Kōrero because I believe in the power of Te Ataarangi to support people at all levels, no matter their starting point. We help build their confidence to kōrero.
It’s always rewarding to see so many students become fluent in reo Māori. For me, this is life-changing. Gaining an understanding of tikanga and mātauranga Māori from our ancestors through reo Māori is a profound experience.
He Uri au o Te Ataarangi. Koia anō ko Titiraupenga taku pou, taku maunga whakahī, e aro ake nei ki Te Kāhui Maunga me he taumata ekenga ki ngā wāwata mō te reo, e kitea e te tini, e rangona anō hoki ōna hua e te mano.
Community-based Programme Facilitator
(Ngāti Raukawa)
Te Mahoe Baker
Te Rapa Broughton
Community-based Programme Facilitator
(Taranaki, Whanganui)
E ohaoha ana te ngākau e aku karanga maha.
When I was growing up, reo was not widely spoken — it was mostly heard among our kaumātua. Today, I see Te Ataarangi and its immersion-based approach as a powerful whānau-centred way for tamariki and mokopuna across our region to grow up with te reo Māori as a taonga, strengthening their identity and self-confidence.
As a kaiako of Te Ataarangi ki Te Kāhui Maunga, I feel privileged to be part of a dedicated team that shares an unwavering passion for Te Reo Māori. My current role involves leading a face-to-face Pokapū in the heart of Whanganui. I work closely with community members, fostering a deep appreciation for our language and culture.
I love this mahi and what we are able to achieve together. Each day brings new challenges and experiences that invigorate my teaching journey, making my role both enriching and fulfilling.
E rere kau noa te awa, mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa. Kāore he aukati, kāore he taupā. Kia rite rā ki te oranga o te reo ki tēnei rohe otiiā te motu. E rere te kupu, e rere te mahara hei reo kōrero ki te ao
He aha tēnei a Reo Kōrero?
What is Reo Kōrero?
He Reo Kōrero, he reo ora - a language we speak every day and everywhere is a language that is alive.
Reo Kōrero is a movement to revitalise te reo Māori as a living, everyday language - no matter where in the world we are.
Reo Kōrero is led by Dr Ruakere Hond and other pou / leaders of Te Ataarangi who are mātanga (global experts) in language revitalisation. They have more than 40 years of experience nurturing the reo for tens of thousands of people.
Ataarangi remains one of the most effective ways to learn to kōrero Māori, and it has gone global with Ataarangi ONLINE.
Te Ataarangi ki Te Kāhui Maunga is part of the Reo Kōrero movement and delivers the Ataarangi ONLINE programmes.
Contact Us
Phone: (06) 751 4921
Email: enquiries@reokorero.com
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