Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

South Island-based Taranaki iwi keen to reconnect with home

Updated at 7:14 pm on 1 December 2011

A Taranaki reo advisor says tribal descendants based at the top of the South Island are hungry to reconnect with their iwi through language and cultural courses offered through the Te Reo o Taranaki movement.

Nelson and Marlborough-based Taranaki iwi have asked to be included in the courses which are run in conjunction with the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki or WITT - which already has campuses in Waitara, Waikanae and Lower Hutt.

Ruakere Hond says because there isn't the critical mass based on the ground in those areas, Te Reo o Taranaki realises that it must make an effort to have regular contact with those communities.

He says the movement is looking at video conferencing including Skype, and hope through their relationship with WITT and other tertiary institutions will extend their reach and bring Taranaki Maori based in Te Tau Ihu (the top of the South Island) closer through the internet.

Mr Hond says Te Reo o Taranaki looks forward to developing stronger links with Taranaki iwi members in Nelson and Marlborough.

There are pockets at the top of the South Island of Taranaki iwi groupings including Te Atiawa and Ngati Tama who are based in Golden Bay, Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds.

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