Firefighters win award for teaching language

CELEBRATING SUCCESS: More than a dozen Gisborne firefighters have been learning te reo Maori since May and the team responsible for the tuition has received a Fire and Emergency NZ Region 2 ‘‘Celebrating Success’’ award. Firefighter Anthony Ruru (second from left) and Station Officer Doris Hill were the tutors. Senior firefighter George Clarke (right) was the initiator, while Station Officer Barry Thomas (left) nominated them for the award. Picture by Liam Clayton

Three Gisborne firefighters have won a Fire and Emergency Region 2 ‘‘Celebrating Success’’ award for teaching te reo Maori to their firefighter colleagues in order to better connect with the Maori community.

Senior firefighter George Clarke initiated the move earlier this year and recruited Station Officer Doris Hill and firefighter Anthony Ruru as the kaiako (tutors).

They were nominated for the award by Station Officer Barry Thomas.

“We asked our firefighters in May who might be interested in learning te reo and set the number of participants at 15.

“We soon had a full complement of 15.”

SO Thomas said the objective was to lift the Maori-speaking capacity among fire staff delivering fire safety programmes with kohanga reo and kura kaupapa students.

“This award also reflects the commitment from the organisation to kaupapa Maori fire safety initiatives, from the top of the organisation to its flax-roots.

“Even our area commander Charlie Turei took part in the classes, and without his support the wananga would not have been possible.”

Senior firefighter Clarke said it had been an “honour” for them to receive the award.

“We could not have done it without the work of our kaiako. Doris Hill and Anthony Ruru were both great.

“The added value was that these classes were delivered by firefighters, with an understanding of the specialised jargon we use for our role in the community.”

SO Hill has been a volunteer with the Gisborne Brigade for 19 years.

“She is enrolled in a degree programme in teaching Maori, so these classes have complemented her studies.”

Doris Hill said receiving the regional award was a “really nice surprise”.

Firefighter Clarke said there had been a big renaissance in te reo Maori.

“With 50 to 60 percent of the Tairawhiti population Maori, this programme was appropriate,” he said.

“We are just one of the many organisations trying to improve in the te reo area, to communicate better with the Maori community.

“Ehara taku toa I te takitahi, engari takitini — this is not the victory of an individual, but of many.”