Kia ora - nau mai hoki mai ki te kawerongo nei!
This weekend we've been lucky enough to attend the Newcastle Pasifika Community Day which saw the coming together of Pacific cultures to share in a day of unity through rugby.
Newcastle Pasifika fielded 5 teams over the day, taking on other Pasifika and Koori teams.
It reminded me how important cultural connection and cultural identity is to people that live away from their homelands. It doesn't matter where our feet stand on planet Earth, we are always able to carry the knowledge, connections, and mana of where we come from. For those that are disconnected, it may be hard to seek out those connections, but never impossible, and the kaupapa we witnessed over the weekend was a testament to that!
Your Learning Style
Learning te reo MÄori (or anything, really) isnāt a one-size-fits-all journey. Everyone absorbs knowledge in different ways, and finding what works best for you can make all the difference.
Letās explore the main learning styles and how you can use them to strengthen your reo MÄori journey.
1. PÄnui ā Learning by Reading
Some people learn best through reading. If this sounds like you, immerse yourself in books, articles, and online resources written in te reo MÄori. Try reading aloud to reinforce pronunciation and understanding. Bilingual books can also be a great way to transition between English and MÄori.
2. Tuhituhi ā Learning by Writing
Writing things down helps many learners process and remember information. Keeping a reo MÄori journal, writing vocabulary lists, or composing simple sentences can reinforce what youāve learned. Handwriting engages your memory in a different way than typing, so grab a pen and give it a go!
3. MÄtakitaki ā Learning by Watching
Visual learners benefit from seeing things in action. Watching videos, TV shows, and online content in te reo MÄori can be powerful. Observe facial expressions, gestures, and context clues to help with comprehension. Kapa haka performances, documentaries, and language tutorials are excellent visual resources.
4. Whakarongo ā Learning by Listening
For those who absorb information best through sound, listening is key. Podcasts, waiata, and spoken-word recordings in te reo MÄori can boost your skills. Engaging in conversations, even if just listening at first, will help with pronunciation and understanding the natural rhythm of the language.
5. Mahi a-ringa ā Learning by Doing
Some of us learn best through hands-on experience. Using te reo MÄori in daily activities, whether through speaking, labelling objects at home, or playing interactive games, makes learning more natural. Immersing yourself in situations where you need to use the language will speed up your learning.
Finding Your Mix
Most people benefit from a combination of these styles. Try different approaches and see what resonates with you. Whether you prefer reading, writing, watching, listening, or doing, every step forward is a step closer to fluency.
Manaaki Membership
Kia ora!
The Manaaki Membership offers you the chance to join an exclusive members-only group on the YouTube platform to support this kaupapa.
For less than the price of a small coffee, your monthly contribution provides you with YouTube-specific member perks including:
- Enhanced profile features.
- Early access to featured videos (before they become public).
- Members-only content including posts, images, and videos.
- Member shout-outs across social media.
Click the link below to join the Manaaki Membership today!
 |
Thanks for reading this week's Newsletter.
Mauri ora!
Responses