Two Tairawhiti tauira (students) were the top scholarship students for Te Reo Maori and Te Reo Rangatira in New Zealand for 2019. Pounamu Wharehinga (above) was top scholar in Te Reo Maori. She finished at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga in Gisborne last year and headed for Massey University today to study commercial music. Hunaara Waerehu (next picture) was top scholar in Te Reo Rangatira. He is into his last year at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Waiu o Ngati Porou in Ruatoria. Both students receive a tertiary studies scholarship of $2000 each year for up to three years. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell
SPEAKING Maori comes naturally to Gisborne Tairawhiti student Pounamu Wharehinga, who has been named the country's top scholar in Te Reo Maori for 2019.
“The language does come naturally to me but to fit the criteria of NZQA and NCEA level 3 you have to adapt your language to it,” Pounamu said.
“You have to practice to better your language by using metaphors and similes in te reo.
“You learn ...
