Abstract

For Māori, the correct answer to the question “Who are you?” for any individual lies in the formulaic sayings of each of his or her own extended family and tribal groupings whose ancestral lands and waterways are located throughout Aotearoa / New Zealand. Genealogy is also an important and highly prized means of identification. In this article the saying of Te Whānau Moana group of extended families (hapū) of Karikari in the far northern region of the country is explained as an example. Given that such sayings are always expressed in Māori, the question arises as to how children whose parents and teachers are not good speakers of Māori will fare in terms of identity. Difficulties in the Māori language of teachers and children in Māori-language immersion preschools and schools (kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori) are identified as grammar-related. Solutions are suggested whereby the grammar of second-language learners can be improved.