Personal Histories of the Revival of Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa/ New Zealand: 40 Years on Kotahi to kohau o te ngira- ma pago ma whero ka oti te mahi DRAFT OF TIMELINE AND NOTES John McCaffery & Joe Te Rito Use of this material only with the permission of the authors and acknowledged. Te Reo Maori Society was formed at Victoria University of Wellington( VUW) in 1969. Patron Te Kapunga Matemoana (Koro) Dewes (Horoera, Te Araroa). The history and work of Te Reo Maori Soc is not well known to date, only the Auckland Group Nga Tama Toa have been written about so far. While Nga Tama Toa concentrated on the political issue of the teaching of Māori in secondary schools, Te Reo Maori Society set out firstly to develop the Reo ability of its members and through that activism revive the language among the next generation of young people in primary schools through Bilingual/ Immersion education in schools and radio and television. The work of Dr Richard Benton in Bilingual education provide a major source of inspiration for how schools were central to this strategy. Walking the talk has always been Te Reo Māori approach. How could we urge others to learn and teach Te Reo if we ourselves were not also on that journey? Te Reo Māori always agued that it was important to use traditional Māori ways of protesting and arguing our case and that to do otherwise threatened to destroy the very things were said we wanted to maintain and revive. Adopting Pākeha strategies of public protest could be used by others, but we were very reluctant to do so. Foundation members included- Cathy Dewes, Whaimutu Dewes, Pine Dewes, , John McCaffery, Pa Conaghan, Teri McIntyre, Mere te Awa, (Nga Puhi /.Ratana), Robert Pouwhare, Lee Smith, Parker Tawhai, John McCaffery, Robert Pouwhare … From 1970, Yr 1 Maori: Joe Te Rio, Pia Tamahori, Whai Dewes, Donna Ngaronoa-Gardner, Rawiri Rangitauira, Rangi Nicholson, Robyn Pene, Alice Coromandel, Tom Roa, Hakopa / Shirley Te Whata, Roger Steel , Anaru Robb, Adrian van der Schaaf, Dianne Pomare ( Principal, KKM Sandringham), Rev Hemi Potatau ( Kahungungu, Mahia, lived Taupo with Wife’s iwi), Mere Boyce, Miki Rikihana, Tom Rangihuna, his sister Frances Rangihuna, Kath Stoddart, Anne Garrick, Murray Gadd,…. Dianne Prince and on the fringes at arms length Dun Mihaka many others… Other students of the time included : Huirangi Waikerepuru, George Parekowhai… At Wellinton Teachers College (WTC) were: Lynette Hawkins, Ian Leckie, Murray Gadd, Jamie Schuster, & many more. A special relationship existed with the Wellinton Maori Grads Association which included: Api, Karen , Buddy Mahuika, Tipene O’Regan, John Dayall Turoa Royal, Tamati/ Tilly Reedy, Cass Tangaere and family …. Founders of Maori Language Day and Week and the campaign for Te Reo in Schools, Maori Radio and Maori TV. Kotahi anake te kaupapa; ko Te Reo Maori, mai rano… Partnership with Wellington Teachers College (WTC) Maori Club -students and staff - Ian Leckie, Iwi Henare, (Bones), Jamie Schuster,… Staff- Barry Metcalf, Steve(Tipene) O’Regan, Keri Kaa, John & Teremoana Hodges( Cook Is) Brandon Int Porirua ) … 1966 onwards WTC trips up the Whanganui to restore Whare, to Kapiti Is and Wairarapa. Barry Metcalf first modern education Pakeha/ Maori. First Teachers College to have a Polynesian Studies and Te Reo Māori programme as part of the Social Studies Department. VUW Tutors included - Abe Hurihanganui, Peter Mclean, Bill Parker, later Api Mahuika, Tamati Kruger. Great support from Ted & Rachel (Barrett, Waikato) Douglas, Geography Dept VUW. Joan Metge and Bernie Kernot in Anthoropology.( Anthro students also supportive were Timi & Georgina Te Heuheu). VUW refused to establish a Maori Studis Dept ; Māori was part of Anthropology at that time as it was at Auckland University also. Te Reo Maori met every week in VUW Tennis Pavilion on Kelburn Rd while campaigning for a University Marae: visit schools for kapa haka, promote on radio and knock on doors,.. Te Reo Univ classes change 1971 on to a young peoples class -1st year ever; many Pakeha students.1970/1. Adopt a Tuakana /Teina model for Maori Pakeha relations and operations. Joe Te Rito and Rangi Nicholson at Weir House TRM committee hui propose a National Maori Language Day in 1971. Happens on Sept 14, 1971. TRM focuses on schools and broadcasting. Radio NZ 1ZB, adverts and greetings- Tena kutus !! Hana, Sid and Nga Tamatoa come to Whaiwhetu Marae ( Te Atiawa) May 1972, to the Huinga Rangatahi Hui to plan support for the petition presentation. Tama Iti only real speaker of Maori at that Hui at this time. A partnership between Nga Tama Toa and Te Reo Māori formed. The Te Reo Māori Petition contained over 30,000 signatures and was presented to Parliament on 14th September, 1972 (Archive NZ) - The umbrella organisation was the Federation of Maori Students Waikato students ( Staff Sam Karetu & John Moorefield), Palmerston (John Tapiata) CHCH with Charles Royal, Bill Gillies… Hui at CHCH 1971, Joe appointed President Huinga Rangatahi Conference/ hui. Later venues at Whatawhata Waikato 1973/4?,… 1971 Te Ra o Te Reo Maori Richard Benton publishes 1st bilingual Education strategy (with Te Reo Maori) Bilingual Education becomes TRM goal, struggle and tumanako. TRM organizers with National Council of Churches to publish an Akonga Te Reo Maori half page newspaper adds. Churches on board strategy successful. Had to pay for adverts on radio- announcers to say Kia Ora @ $1 a time- we still have receipts. E hika ma ! Maori Language Day change to Te Wa o Te Reo Māori/ Māori Language Week in 1975 but was originally in September around the petition day. Moved back later to July school break in 1975. We worked on the strategy that if we made it successful the Ministry of Education would come and take it over and run it for us. This philosophy guided our strategies and did in fact happen. In fact Te Reo Maori ran the Language Campaign for everyone- Schools then Radio then TV. Campaign started at VUW spread to WTC, then to Schools, then after having to pay for Radio NZ announcers to say Kia Ora on the Radio for Te Ra o Te Reo Maori to radio then to TV. Petition to Parliament 1978 on Maori Broadcasting especially TV. The establshment of Maori TV was one of our great dreams and shared achievements. Spread over years 1969- 2009- 40 years of struggle. From NZCER with Richard Benton’s Maori research unit was Tawini Rangihau, Hiria Tumoana, and Lee Smith. Richard Benton’s 1973-1979 survey showed under 15% of 0-15yrs could speak Maori. Got down to under 8% by 1987.Facing language loss this generation. From 1969 on Pine Taiapa and elders come regularly to VUW Wgton to speak to students & Koro. Pine later gifts his family marae at Tikitiki to TRM for use and kaitiakitanga. John McCaffery responsible for making tape recordings and building the collection of Oral History 1969- 1976. (Now gone to National Archives) John on call 24/7. Slept/ lived at Koro and Kura’s place. John Miller photographer with Joan Metge. May have many photos of the time. Others who come include- Eruera & Amira Stirling; Te Oenuku Rene; Arnold Reedy; Ruka Broughton;( Taranaki), Richard Benton, ( Taitokerau- Nga Puhi); Jock McEwen ( Sec Maori Affairs , NZ Resident Niue); Rev Tawhao Tioka Eddie McLoud ( Taranaki Sec NZMC); Canon Hepa Taepa (Rangiatea Otaki); John Rangihau( Tuhoe ); Bill Parker, (Ngati Porou; Radio NZ); Api Mahuika,(Ngaiti Porou); Joe Malcom, (Te Arawa);Tamati Reedy; Rangi Dewes (Ngati Porou); Maori Graduates Association ( De Bretts Marae Lambton Quay ) supporting TRM: John Dyall, Tipene O’Regan,( Ngai Tahu), Api Mahuika, Rangi Dewes,Koro Dewes, Joe Malcom, Willy Kaa, MoE Ngati Porou Officers… Often met at De Bretts Hotel- A tight group and politically very effective. Department of Education - Director Alan Smith (Tane of Miriam, Kimi’s Watermellon) Also Turoa Royal, Sonny Wilson, Whare Te Moana(Whanau -a-Apanui), John Hunia,( Whakatohea) John Tapiata, Willy Kaa, Rose & Joe Pere,(Tuhoe/ Rongowhakata) Bill Gillies,( Kahungungu/ Ngai Tahu) Sonny Taara,(Ngati Porou) Miriam Pewhairangi, ( ECE Ngati Porou) Gabrielle Rikihana ( Ngait Raukawa) Monty Ohia ( Ngai Te Rangi, Taurangi), Anita Moke ( Waikato), Erana Coulter ( School/s Hamilton ),Cass Tangaere( Tairawhiti),Wally Penetito, Arnold Reedy and Arts team Para Matchett ma. Plus the English language Team - Jim Leabourne, Lionel Mickel, Tupae Pepe,.. other Pacific staff… 1971-1990 Lopdell House Titirangi and Hogben House ChCh in- service courses held annually for programme, policy and strategic planning advice. (Huinga o te Kahurangi e hika ma.)For each Hui reports, tapes and written records produced, waiata composed and strategies decided. 1970- Inia Te Wiata dies. Tangi at Rangiatea Otaki. Koro and students attend. 1971- Phil Amos Ed Gazette Maori in Primary and Intermediate Schools policy. Tamati Reedy senior Officer under Alan Smith Director asked to develop the policy further. Te Reo already some Secondary from 1965-7. John goes to all MoE meetings as mokai/ whangai. 1971- Pine Taiapa & Arnold Reedy die. Huge loss. 1971 - First National Maori Language Teachers Refresher Course held Fielding High School- Koro Dewes Chairperson, Secretary John Moorefield, Te Oenuku Reedy, Mason Durie, Sam Karetu, Pa Gupwell (Otaki St Peter Chanel), all teachers of Maori secondary, Advisors and Dept Officers, Turoa Royal, Rev Napi Waaka, University Maori staff and some students including John. 1971 Coronation Hui, Turangawaewae Ngaruawahia- Canon Hepa Taepa (Rangiatea Otaki) leader. Kawe mate o Inia te Wiata. (Ngati Raukawa trip) Piri Poutapu (tohunga hanga waka still building at Turangawaewae) Tanui relations with East Coast renewed via Mahinarangi connections. 1974 Maori Affairs Act amended to recognize Maori as the official language of Maori, not the nation. Dun Mihaka’s appeal to present his case in Maori turned down in Court of Appeal. More to come