Special guests for te reo classes

TE REO: Waiheke Rio (left) and Nika Rua love teaching te reo Maori. PHOTO/FILE

The te reo Maori and Maori culture programme at Linton Park Community Centre will host some special guest speakers over the next few weeks.

Rick Mansell, Linton Park Community Centre co-ordinator, said there would be a series of special lectures from 6.30pm weekly on Fridays.

"Each speaker has been asked to focus their presentation on pre-European Maori activities, thoughts and philosophies relative to each subject.

"Subjects will be of interest to all those living in New Zealand. Entrance is free/koha and the evening will finish at 8pm."

He said they would be letting people know the names and topics of the other speakers on a weekly basis.

So far there has been Joe McLeod, a world famous Maori cook, who spoke about indigenous herbs in Aotearoa.

Nika Rua and Waiheke Rio are running the classes and Mr Rua said they had been great.

"We were down to finish this week but a lot of the students don't want to finish so we have chosen to continue."

He said the Maori Language Commission had given them funding for eight speakers.

He said the classes were still free but they were hoping to get funding.

"But we will continue teaching even if we don't. It's the drive and the passion in the students that makes us turn up every week.

"It's a real cool feeling to see your students progress in such a short time," he said.

Mr Rua said new students were always welcome.

The te reo Maori class is for beginners and is offered every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8pm (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 (plus two marae visits).

The classes are held at Linton Park Community Centre, 16 Kamahi Pl. For more information call (07) 348 0757.