Te reo students stoked with first-time course (+video)

The te reo Maori and Maori culture programme at Linton Park Community Centre has come to an end but for some of the students it's just the beginning.

Jan Stevenson said it had always been at the back of her mind to learn to speak Maori.

"I was just reading the paper at lunchtime that day and saw the classes and saw that they started that day so I enrolled immediately.

"It's been absolutely wonderful, I've loved it. I know it's going to take a long time to really learn another language. I've got lots to build on.

"I've learned about the culture, we've learned little games, we've learned kapa haka and marae protocol," Ms Stevenson said.

Melanie Harris said she had always wanted to learn to speak Maori and the classes were a perfect opportunity.

"To be able to speak it in the right situation and places is great. The people here are absolutely brilliant, they're wonderful.

"We've just barely scraped the surface, we still have a lot to learn but I want to keep it up."

John Grant said he had tried to learn the odd word here and there before but wanted to expand on his knowledge.

"On the grounds that three of my children korero in Maori and my wife who is Pakeha can korero too and she knows more than me, that's always gnawed away at me and I read about Nika's course.

"The organisation has been very good, we definitely want to continue learning."

Nika Rua and Waiheke Rio ran the classes and Mr Rua said they had been great and they would be looking to run them again.

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 more 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, and they've said they want to keep learning," he said.

Mr Rua said new students were always welcome.

The te reo Maori class is for beginners and the Maori culture class is for those who would like to learn some basics of Maori culture.

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