In this putanga | issue of Reowatch:

I ended issue five of Reowatch by saying Hei te Pepuere, see you in February! How confident was that? It’s March, and I’ve been missing for longer than I intended.

I had good reason to disappear for a little longer than I’d said - I welcomed my first baby into the world three weeks earlier than scheduled (babies can’t access our work calendars) so the time I’d allotted to writing February’s issue quickly got consumed by nappies and sleepless nights!

I’m only a few weeks into fatherhood, but what I will say is that the most intense task so far has been on the language front. I’ve spent half of my life learning te reo Māori for the home, so I could be ready to raise my children as first language speakers. Of course, paying the bills, assisting Māmā, holding the housework at an acceptable level and trying to learn how to parent have been all the things they are to everyone - challenging, fun, hilarious, impossible. Smooshy hugs with my little one is worth every second. It’s the pressure of raising a child in te reo Māori though - that’s the one that hits me the hardest. Will I succeed? Will it all have been worth it? Will Government get out of my baby’s way and let our family live as we intend to live?

While politicians were away over Christmas, things were quiet on the language front and that was very nice. As soon as they came back though, the abnormalities of the last two years returned, and they were up to their old tricks again:

Cabinet abandoned the name of the school lunch programme, Ka Ora Ka Ako, adopting an English-only name, Healthy School Lunches.

Yet another Minister has intervened in Māori language provisions of a public agency. Hon Judith Collins KC has questioned (read: made the CE ban) a cultural framework designed to upskill staff members about the nation they defend. Collins was made aware of the framework by Todd Stephenson MP, who was contacted, seemingly, by a New Zealand Defence Staffer. I remain concerned how much public servants are leaking internal agency knowledge to politically-aligned MPs - an abuse of their role and employment contract.

The English Language Bill. Well, read on!

Until next time, kōrerotia, waiatatia!

Vincent Ieni Olsen-Reeder

Kaietita, Reowatch