Immersing tamariki in te ao Māori

Oranga Tamariki caregivers, Alisi and Jason have been caring for siblings Emily and Beau* for more than two years.

They say it was important to them to impart knowledge of te ao Māori onto their children, whether they are biological or whangai to them.

Part of this journey has been kōhanga reo which Alisi says was to help them access the language and strengthen their foundations as tamariki Māori.

Just recently, Emily graduated from her kōhanga reo at a special korowaitanga (graduation) surrounded by whānau. She’s since started the next part of her reo journey at their local kura kaupapa.

Oranga Tamariki social worker, Zola says kōhanga reo has been a passion of hers after she attended as a child.

Being a part of Emily’s korowaitanga and seeing both children thrive in the care of Alisi and Jason has been incredible to see.

“I see a lot of whānau who don’t know who they are,” says Zola.  

“Kōhanga reo provides a whole whānau journey and a holistic view of te ao Māori for tamariki.”

Zola says it’s also a place where the practices of Section 7aa can be achieved naturally.  

“The values of whakapapa and whanaungatanga taught to our tamariki, are the teachings passed down from our tūpuna, kaumatua and kuia,” she says.

“I believe all tamariki Māori in care should be enrolled.”

Jason speaks fluent te reo and will kōrero with Emily and Beau as much as he can. His journey started at a young age along with his older sister when they were immersed in te ao Māori.

“Our te reo came from my grandmother,” he says.

“Both my mother’s mother and my dads’ father were fluent."

From aged five, Jason says he followed that path of kapa haka and his tutors had a big influence on his te reo Māori.

“It’s brought me to where we are today,” he says. 

“I think the ability to kōrero in your mother-tongue is dependent on how you see your significance in te ao Maori.”

“I’ve always been passionate about it, and now I can influence my kids through that whole journey too.”

Alisi and Jason’s home is filled with aroha, waiata and whānau with nan and auntie a huge part of their lives. A guitar and keyboard are central in the lounge as well as books and toys so they can sing, read and play games in both te reo and English.

 “We’re not trying to be something that we’re not, “says Alisi

“We just try to make it as natural as possible for them, as te ao Māori flows out of who we are.”

*names of the tamariki have been changed for privacy