Tamariki in the Manawatū whose first language is te reo Māori can now take part in gymnastics with a newly established reo Māori class.
Gymsports Manawatū say they wanted to make the sport accessible for everyone in the community and the move has seen a peak in demand as enrolments continue to flood in.
“We noticed that there weren’t many options for student’s who speak te reo so it was really important for us to open up something that they can come and attend,” says The Head of Recreational at Gymsports Manawatū, Alanah McLeod.
“We had so many enquiries from families who were so keen, so much so that we’ve got enough children to fill 3 to 4 classes,” McLeod says.
She also praised the coach, Kiitahi Berghan, for her passion and skill in delivering the class entirely in te reo Māori.
“She found it easier coaching in te reo Māori than in English so it was really awesome as well for Kiitahi to be able to do that. I think Kiitahi should be holding lessons for all of us.”
Ka tāea ngā whānau reo Māori o Manawatū te tuku ā rātou tamariki ki te ako i te hākinakina takaporepore
Ko Kiitahi Berghan te kaiwhakaako i te kaupapa nei, me te aha kua iwa tau ia e whai wāhi atu ana ki tēnei hākinakina, he raukura hoki ia nō Te Aho Matua.
“I ngā wā i roto ahau i tēnei kaupapa, he tamariki kura kaupapa me ako i te reo Pākehā kia mahi i ēnei momo mahi. I uaua māku, ehara i te ma ko te reo Pākehā tōku reo tuatahi,” hei tā Kiitahi.
“Rawe rawa atu ki a ahau ka taea te hoatu i tēnei āheinga ki ngā tamariki o tēnei rohe. Te hirahira hoki o tō rātou harikoa ki te tae mai ki tēnei akomanga,” hei tāna anō.
Ko te reo Māori te reo tuatahi o Kiitahi. Ka tīmata tāna whai i tēnei ara ka rongo ia i ngā taumahatanga o te korenga ōna i mōhio ki te reo Pākehā.
“Ko te piritanga, ko te mārenatanga o te reo Māori ki ēnei hākinakina ka tautoko i ngā tamariki kāore anō kua ako i te reo Pākehā kia whai i ērā momo mahi kia kaua ko ngā tamariki reo ingarihi anake,” hei tā Kiitahi anō
“Koirā te whāinga nui rawa atu. Kia nui ake ngā kaiako pēnei i a au hoki nā te mea ehara i te mea ko au anake e taea ana te pēnei.”