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Te reo learning journey for barista tutor

In the spirit of Mahuru Māori, Ara has a wonderful story to share about barista tutor Katrina Fisher, who has been undertaking an enriching personal journey in learning te reo.

Two years ago, Katrina Fisher could say three things in te reo Māori: kia ora, toru (three), and whā (four). Now, the Ara Department of Hospitality and Service Industries barista tutor moves effortlessly between her native English language and te reo Māori.

Katrina, who identifies as NZ Pākehā, embarked on her te reo journey when her Ara colleague Francie Oberg-Nordt invited her to Te Hoe 1 - Ara’s free introductory Māori language course for learners with no prior knowledge of te reo.

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Katrina Fisher (far left) and her Hospitality learners making kawhe kakato / delicious coffees.

“Francie was persistent and kept asking me to go along with her. Well, I’m a sort of an all or nothing person, so when I actually went along, it piqued my interest.”

After completing her Level 1 course, Katrina continued to the next level of study at Te Puna Wānaka. She later joined a Kapa Haka group. “I was the only Pākehā in the group!  It’s been really helpful and gives me a whole other whānau outside of Ara that I can kōrero with.”  

In the past two years Katrina has gone from strength to strength and is now learning at Level 5, which she feels is invaluable for her teaching.

“I connect better with my learners, I take more time because I’m not such in a rush, and I’m a better listener,” she says.

Katrina feels that being a learner helps her feel more empathetic to her own learners. She values it when a learner can speak te reo in class so she can listen to their pronunciation and continue improving.

Katrina’s top tip:
Pick out your high-frequency words and exchange the English one for te reo Māori.  Just keep using that word over and over, in different surroundings, and soon it will begin to feel easier.

Wonderful words:
I love saying tautoko (to support) to my learners and colleagues. As in ‘I tautoko you’ in your learning.

Find out more about Mahuru Maori at Ara here.