Te Awa Puketapu: When Language is Power, Family, and Revolution

Some women don't just lead, they are warriors. Today's guest is one of them. Te Awa Puketapu, is a Māori language champion, social leader, and an extraordinary force for change in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Of Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, and Te Atiawa descent, Te Awa was raised speaking te reo Māori and was among the very first children ever enrolled in a Kōhanga Reo in 1982. That early immersion didn't just give her a language, it gave her a purpose.

From the Office of the Children's Commissioner to Hutt City Council, she has spent her career fighting for Māori whānau (family), children, and communities. As a 2022 Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, she is now boldly shaping the next forty years of te reo Māori revitalisation, putting language sovereignty, Māori-led solutions, and the next generation of leaders front and centre. She is a warrior. She is a leader. She is inspiration.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Māori Identity and Culture

02:47 The Treaty of Waitangi: Historical Context and Misinterpretations

05:51 Language Revitalization: The Kohanga Reo Movement 09:02 The Importance of Language in Shaping Worldview

11:59 Connection to Nature: Māori Perspectives

14:47 The Role of Women in Māori Society

17:48 Navigating Colonial Systems: Challenges and Resurgence 20:59 Community Support and Collective Action

23:56 Inspiration and Hope for the Future

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References

Strochlic, N. "The Race to Save the World's Disappearing Languages." National Geographic, April 16, 2018.

Awarau, A. "The Māori saved their language from extinction. Here's how." National Geographic, June 28, 2024.

https://www.socialequity.atlanticfellows.org/fellows-search/te-awa-puketapu