we've just finally stopped suppressing the language - Gary Dell
I live in Aotearoa New Zealand, but I grew up in New Zealand.
One of my great-grandfathers was a man called Ben Keys. During the turn of the 20th century he travelled the country mapping tribal lands. His diaries are in the Alexandra Turnbull Library in Wellington and his maps are still used today during Treaty settlements.
He spoke fluent Māori - not just what is commonly understood now as Māori but several different dialects. Most of which are extinct now.
In 1908 he married Katarina Rangikawhiti Te Mihiarangi Butts. They had eight children. All his children spoke te reo Māori. This was three generations from me.
His daughter, my grandmother, was Mavis Gwendoline Keys. My eldest sister Billie was named after her ... (best not to ask).
She was born in 1920 and grew up ashamed of her Māori heritage, as being mixed race was seen as lesser. She spoke te reo but would have died rather than let mainstream New Zealand of the time know it.
Link to article and video: Te reo Māori isn't being forced on NZ, we've just finally stopped suppressing the language - Gary Dell - NZ Herald
