ON THE COVER
KORERO CARDS
This month's special edition cover has been created by the lovely Hayley from Korero Cards. A business that stemmed from a passion to about revitalise the use of Te Reo, Hayley tells her story...
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Hayley tōku ingoa.
Nō Whāngārei ahau. Kei Ahuriri tōku kāinga ināinei. Ko Ngāi Tahu te iwi. He kaiako ahau. Ko Alan tōku hoa tāne.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Growing up in a semi-rural Hawke's Bay home, my family spoke a small amount of reo Māori. I could kōrero a little and understand even more, but as I moved through the sways of life I slowly lost the reo I had.
In 2010, I began training as a kaiako in the Manawatū. While I was studying I set myself a goal - to kōrero with tauira as much as possible, with a long term goal of being fluent. I encountered some feedback from other kiako who didn’t value te reo as much as I do, which had a huge impact on my confidence with the language. During university wasn't the first time that I received this kind of feedback, but it was this experience that had the most impact on me. Not being one to give up easily and being one who grows from moments like these, I found motivation, determination and strength in this challenge and began to kōrero even more.
The idea for Kōrero Cards bloomed when Alan and I were thinking of ways that we could contribute to the revitalisation of te reo. We began selling te reo cards and in July we began creating graphic prints. Our mission is to create a culture where te reo Māori is enjoyed and encouraged by all.
We have been going steadily online since the website opened in September 2015, and most recently I ventured out to local markets. Holding a stall at the markets has been a beautiful and eye opening experience. My favourite part is definitely conversing with a range of people, and being able to korero Māori with others - although much more practise is needed!
You can find me online at www.korerocards.co.nz, www.facebook.com/korerocards or at the Artisan’s Fair on the Canopy Bridge each Saturday from 9-1.30pm.