From paddling to politics: a journey for reo, rights and representation
Like many of us, Bevan O’Connor (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) leads a busy life, balancing his work as a lawyer and business owner with whānau, waka ama, and now, a campaign to be elected as an independent councillor in the Takitimu Māori Ward.
Despite his packed schedule, Bevan prioritises his te reo Māori journey and deepening his connection to te ao Māori.
He’s nearing completion of Te Pūtaketanga o te Reo Māori, a full immersion Level 4 programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Heretaunga. He credits the programme with strengthening his identity and grounding him in te ao Māori.
“For me, te ao Māori is the centre of everything,” Bevan says. “It’s the centre of my identity. It’s the glue, the connection. It’s what makes me, me.”
For Bevan, te ao Māori is more than just the language. Whether he’s paddling in waka ama, voyaging on a waka hourua, or engaging in mahi toi and mahi māra, he sees the reo woven through it all.
His reo journey is also a tribute to his late father, who began reclaiming the language 3 decades ago.
“I saw the energy and passion he got from it, that sense of identity. I wanted to continue that mahi in his honour. Being a little competitive, I wanted to go further than he did,” Bevan says with a smile.
Now, Bevan is stepping into the political arena, standing as a candidate for the Takitimu Māori Ward in the upcoming Hastings District Council elections. As a lawyer, business owner, and Māori rights advocate, he sees this as another way to serve his community.
“My kaupapa is Māori rights. It’s about having our voice heard at the council table – strong, grounded, and unapologetically Māori.”
For those considering learning te reo Māori, Bevan’s advice is simple: take the leap.
“Once you step in, you’ll find yourself diving deep. Our world is so rich, our kōrero so beautiful and rewarding. All the answers we need for our future are in our reo. Go for it.”
Find out more about our reo Māori (language) programmes.
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