Newspaper Article 2017 – Knight’s long fight for Maori

Knight’s long fight for Maori

MEGAN HUNT

Professor Timoti Karetu considers his knighthood as belonging to all those who have worked with and supported him.

Now based in Havelock North, Karetu was made a knight for his services to the Maori language as part of this year’s Queens Birthday honours.

Karetu, from Tuhoe and Ngati Kahungunu, grew up at Waimako Marae in Waikaremoana where Maori was the main language.

“The material comforts were few but the social cohesion was strong,” he said.

He went on to Wellington College, then studied French and German at Victoria University.

“Once you have been through the rigours of learning one language it’s easier to learn another – that’s my thinking.”

He trained as a high school teacher and after a couple of years in the classroom worked at the New Zealand High Commission in London.

He returned to New Zealand and began teaching in Hamilton, before he was offered a role as a Maori lecturer at Waikato University.

“The students coming into Waikato at that stage had no language,” he said

“Once you have been through the rigours of learning one language it’s easier to learn another.” Timoti Karetu

“It was like teaching third formers.”

He went on to establish the university’s Maori department, which became the first to teach through the medium of Maori.

“We had a rule no English was to be spoken [around the department] so when the students came by they always heard Maori . . . we had a marvellous atmosphere.”

In 1987 he joined the Maori Language Commission as the first commissioner.

“One of our principal jobs was to create new vocabulary for schools so teachers could teach through the medium.”

Alongside this role he was chairman and executive director of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust.

After finishing at the commission in 2002 he was part of the formation of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, where he remains.

“The students were coming out of university and were still not fluent, [this course was] wanting to fill in the gaps.”

He credited his success to a number of adults who were committed to him through his teenage and university years.

“My life has been lucky.”

Looking ahead Karetu was optimistic about the future of the Maori language and said the current generation of 18 to 40-year-olds were dedicated speakers.

“I can rest in peace knowing it’s in safe hands,” he said.

“They have my admiration for their commitment because it takes work.”

Looking ahead he wanted to see all barriers removed for anyone wanting to learn the language.

“I wish for the right for any New Zealand child who wants to speak Maori not be hampered – that will ensure the language is here for generations to come.”

Photo caption – Professor Timoti Samuel Karetu was knighted in June 2017.
PHOTO: MEGAN HUNT/STUFF