Locals encouraged to learn te reo

LEARN: Waiheke Rio, left, Nika Rua are excited to teach te reo Maori. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Locals have been invited to take on the challenge of learning New Zealand's native tongue - with free classes.

Linton Park Community Centre has just started its Te Reo Maori and Maori Culture classes are there are still a few spots left.

Nika Rua and Waiheke Rio are running the classes.

"For me, I've been teaching for about seven years now. Once I finished my teaching degree I just had a passion to teach te reo Maori," Mr Rua said.

He said last week was the first week and they still had a few spots left for people wanting to join.

"Hopefully by the third week we'll have a full class. We have had about 15 people coming along."

He said every class started with a waiata and a karakia.

"Looking at the statistics, essentially they show that the Maori language is a dying language and I want to prove somehow that it's not. It's up to the individual, but as long as I'm alive te reo Maori is still alive, as long as my heart is still pumping so is te reo Maori."

Mrs Rio said she thought it would be a good opportunity to teach.

"It's about helping people and it's for everybody and all cultures, open to the community."

The Te Reo Maori class is for beginners and is offered every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8pm for the next eight weeks (plus two marae visits).

The Maori Culture class is for those who would like to learn some basics of Maori culture. The class is offered every Thursday from 6.30pm to 8pm for the next nine weeks (plus two marae visits).

Class registration and the course book are both free. They are an excellent opportunity to gain some insight into Maori culture and ease any concerns about appropriate Maori protocol in a number of situations.

Both classes are held at the Linton Park Community Centre (16 Kamahi Pl). To register call (07) 348 0757 or show up on either Tuesday or Thursday.