Growing Te Reo, Growing Communities: Meet the Kaiako inspiring Wairarapa learners at UCOL

From first-time ākonga/students discovering their confidence to fluent speakers deepening their knowledge, UCOL Wairarapa's Te Reo Māori programmes are helping people connect with language, culture, and community.

At the heart of the journey are passionate kaiako Mike Kawana, Kiri Riwai-Couch and Gabrielle Morgan, whose collective experience, dedication, and love for te reo Māori are transforming lives across the rohe/region.

Together, they are helping create a future where te reo Māori is heard more often in homes, workplaces, early childhood centres, and communities.

For learners progressing through UCOL Wairarapa's Te Reo Māori programmes, the opportunity to learn from Matua Mike is a significant highlight.

Mike leads Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 4) and is widely recognised for his deep iwi connections and extensive contribution to te reo Māori education and community development. This year, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the King's Birthday Honours, recognising nearly 25 years of service to the Wairarapa community, including his commitment to teaching te reo Māori and supporting Māori and the wider community.

For Matua Mike, the greatest reward is witnessing the transformation of each ākonga.

"One thing that never gets old is witnessing people who, at one point could only converse in English and then, after a short while, converse in te reo Māori. Every time I hear that, it's a highlight."

He believes the future of te reo Māori is bright, with new generations growing up with greater access to language learning opportunities than ever before.2

"I think in the next 10 to 20 years we're going to see generations of tamariki and mokopuna who become our future leaders, fluent in te reo Māori and likely other languages as well."

At the heart of Mike's teaching philosophy is the whakataukī - "Tōku reo, tōku ohooho; tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea" - My language is my awakening; my language is my treasured possession.

For Whaea Kiri Riwai-Couch, teaching Te Reo Māori is both personal and purposeful.

Kiri's mother is a native speaker, raised in a whānau where te reo was the first language. Although te reo was not spoken to Kiri and her three older siblings much during their early years, that changed when the family moved to Wairarapa in the early 80’s and her mother became heavily involved in the revitalisation of te reo.

"Te reo was a major part of whānau life during this significant time. That’s when my passion for the language started.”

She began learning te reo Māori formally at Wairarapa College and continued to build her skills both at school and at home. By 18, she was working at Te Kōhanga Reo and later became immersed in te reo through her role at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa.

Determined to deepen her knowledge further, Kiri completed her teaching degree through Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki, which involved bilingual learning.

"When the opportunity came to teach te reo at UCOL, I was over the moon. I felt confident in my ability to pass on my passion for te reo and what I had learnt."

Today, Kiri teaches Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 3), and is Pouahurea for Wairarapa campus, supporting cultural competency through the He Kākano Rua Framework.

One of her greatest rewards is seeing learners grow in confidence.

"I love seeing people's understanding of te reo grow and flourish. It's a really good feeling being able to share te reo and help to normalise it in our community.”

She is particularly passionate about equipping future teachers with the confidence to use te reo Māori in early childhood settings.

"When we present te reo to our early childhood children, we're giving them the chance to learn the language and make it part of their lives."

For Gabrielle Morgan, returning to UCOL as a kaiako is something of a homecoming.

"When I was a 17-year-old small-town girl, fresh to the Wairarapa, UCOL was my entry into tertiary education, and it quickly became my second home."

Now 24, with a young family of her own, Gabrielle is teaching UCOL’s Te Reo Māori for Beginners and Te Reo Māori Intermediate programmes at the very campus where her own educational journey began.

"It's been a full 360 for me, and I absolutely love it."

Gabrielle's teaching experience started early. At just 15 years old, she worked in Kōhanga Reo teaching tamariki in the Tuakana group and preparing them for kura.

While she never imagined she would one day teach adults, she has discovered many similarities between the two.

"The content is simple and stripped right back to the basics. I teach what should be used daily and what is relevant to everyday life."

Her favourite moments come when learners realise they already know more than they think.

"That lightbulb moment when they understand a kupu, or remember they've actually heard it before, is incredible."

She believes learning te reo Māori should never feel out of reach.

"Language can be overwhelming to learn, no matter what language it is, but that doesn't mean it's unattainable. Matua Mike, Kiri and myself are passionate about teaching te reo. We are all here to help."

Her message to prospective learners is "Poipoia te kākano, kia puāwai" - Nurture the seed so it will grow.

A theme shared by all three kaiako is the strong sense of belonging that exists within UCOL Wairarapa's te reo Māori programmes.

Kiri describes classes as welcoming, supportive, and fun, where laughter, waiata, and interactive learning are encouraged. She also established a community kōrero club, giving people a space to practise speaking te reo Māori in a relaxed environment.

"Everyone is here for the same kaupapa. Everybody wants to be there, so the learning environment is really uplifting.”

Gabrielle agrees, describing UCOL Wairarapa as a close-knit community.

"The campus is homely, so much so that my babies are often referred to as being 'UCOL babies. Learners become part of a whānau, supported by dedicated kaiako who are committed to helping them succeed."

UCOL Wairarapa offers a pathway for learners at every stage, from beginners taking their first steps into te reo Māori through to advanced learners progressing to higher-level qualifications. An exciting addition in the pipeline for 2027 is a new Level 5 programme that will be led by Matua Mike.

"Building up through the first stages and then to learn from such a Rangatira as Mike for the Level 4, and possibly Level 5 programme, is an incredible opportunity for ākonga,” says Kiri.

For anyone considering taking that first step to learning te reo, Kiri's advice is simple.

"You just have to do it. Don't miss the opportunity. You won't regret it. Learning reo is rewarding, enjoyable, and our classes are welcoming to everyone."

To find out more about UCOL’s Te Reo Māori programmes visit here and our free community Te Reo Māori programmes here.