‘The iceberg’ analogy is one I identify with in describing my te reo Māori journey. This analogy centres on the idea that an iceberg only has a small proportion of its surface above water, where it can be seen and comprehended. It’s hidden mass and arguable power are invisible from the surface- unless you are keen to dive deep.
I was not born in New Zealand. I did not learn te reo Māori, whether it be phrases, words or songs until I went to university. My love of this language however, began early in my teacher training. My university lecturer was passionate, knowledgeable and what I would respectfully call ‘staunch’ in her Māoritanga. So with enthusiasm, excitement and a whole lot of patience from those around me I began my te reo journey- exploring the tip of the iceberg by gaining kupu (words) and then being able to read and recognize them in conversation. Then I began learning some sentence structures.
I love being a teacher and in teaching my tamariki I consolidate my knowledge and motivate myself to continue learning more so I can walk ahead and guide the path of my student’s to tautoko (support) them on their learning journey. One of my students recounted this year that, “Miss Cleary is really trying to learn more Māori and teach me and others it. I think it’s good that she is learning Māori. I like Māori culture because it is my culture and it is an important culture to NZ”
An unexpected benefit of this journey is how it has helped me as a teacher. I work in a school where the majority of our students are learning English as a second language. My own journey has helped me to empathise and has opened my eyes to some of the challenges and frustrations they encounter and yet continue to overcome. Their persistence, patience and rapid progress has continued to enlighten, challenge and inspire me.
My goal in the short term is to learn further structures and to practise using te reo more in conversation (watch out ōku hoa!).
Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective.
The above whakatauki resonates with me as I continue to receive support from those further along in their te reo use, but also from friends who have learnt and persevered in their own language-acquisition journey, te reo and others. (It truly does take a village to ‘raise’/teach a child, kaiako and language). I have found the more tools, experts and fellow travellers I have beside me on my journey the better it is. Thank you to the amazing people who love me and/or the language so much they repeat things a hundred times and answer a thousand questions. Thank you to those people – bless you for your resilience, patience and passion.
I don’t yet know the depth of my iceberg but I do know that I am not there yet, I am a long way off, but I have begun and am closer than I was last week, last month or last year. My learning is not about the destination but the journey and so far I have been encouraged to persist, take risks, learn from critique and korero on.
And ultimately – we live in Aotearoa the home of te reo Māori
Mā te kōrero I te reo e ora ai, mā te ora o te reo ka rangatira.
In order for our language to be remembered it must be spoken.
Dive deep and Kia kaha ōku hoa
If this Australian can, anyone can.
