Skip Content
Anne Dawson - Tauira: Te Reo Māori

A lightbulb moment about identifying as a “New Zealander” led to grandmother and radio station manager Anne Dawson enrolling in Te Reo Māori studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in 2021. She began with the beginner programme, He Pī Ka Pao (Levels 1 & 2), then went on to complete He Pī Ka Rere (Levels 3 & 4), the intermediate te reo Māori programme. Anne hopes that sharing her te reo Māori journey will inspire others to start their own.

Only a toddler when she came to live in Aotearoa, Anne grew up with little knowledge or contact with Māori people, language or culture. She learnt a little at school in the 60s and 70s, and again during teacher training, but struggled to understand the relevance in her life. It was not until Anne read a novel about colonisation that she realised the importance of indigenous culture worldwide and Māori culture in Aotearoa.

“Now that I’m older – and I hope wiser – I came to realise that if I’m going to call myself a New Zealander, I need to know what that is, and that includes knowing and understanding te ao Māori and te reo Māori.”

At 63 years old, she decided that it was now or never, and so she enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Learning a new language has proven to be challenging; however, Anne has committed to speaking te reo Māori to the best of her ability. She now has the confidence to encourage others to use correct pronunciation whenever possible, especially on the airwaves in her role as Station Manager for Access Radio Taranaki.

The highlight for her through her journey has been the other learning that goes alongside te reo Māori.

“I’ve loved learning and hearing about the connection to the whenua/ the land, and nature/ Te Ao. I’ve never had as many lightbulb moments before as I’ve had in the last few months.”

Find out more about our te reo Māori programmes.

 Back to news & events

Published On: 14 February 2023

Article By: Pehitu Mathieson-Mana



Other Articles

  • 23 May 2025

    Rangatahi return to founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Rangatahi from Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha and Te Awamutu College return to the founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to study mahi toi through the Visual Arts Secondary Tertiary Programme.

  • 20 May 2025

    Marae-Based Research: A Vehicle for Reclamation

    Explore Kimiora Raerino’s inspiring journey from urban Māori upbringing to PhD researcher and Senior Research Fellow at Te Manawahoukura. Discover how marae-based research and māra kai became powerful tools for reconnection, cultural identity, and community wellbeing.

  • 14 May 2025

    A full circle moment from tauira to kaiako

    Explore the inspiring journey of Krystle Nikora, from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her passion for te reo Māori blossomed and led her to teach He Pī ka Rere Level 3 and 4.

  • 8 May 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa introduces four new study opportunities in their Semester B offerings

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa introduces four new study programmes for Semester B, including Māori Governance, Digital Media and Design, Building and Construction Skills, and Study and Employment Skills. Designed to meet the needs of tauira, whānau, hapū, and iwi, these programmes integrate mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori perspectives. Enrol now to grow your skills and achieve your aspirations.