Te Reo Maori Language Advisor
Kai-arahi, Tamariki Aorangi
"Ko Tawai Hauraki-Te Rangi toku ingoa I whanau ahau ki Ruatoria. Ko Ue-pohatu, whanau-a-Umu ariki, oku hapu o Ngati-Porou. Kei Porirua toku kainga noho. He Kai-awhina ahau o te Reo Maori mo Tamariki Aorangi.
Ko taku noa; kia tika te whakatakoto, kia tika te whakahua o te taonga nei o te Reo Maori. Kia pümau te Wairua I roto I ngä mahi katoa."
Tawai is head of our Tamariki Aorangi Maori language productions. Respecting her status as an elder, we call her 'Aunty'. She has 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Aunty Tawai has been a native speaker of her beloved Maori language since birth. It's her dream to see Maori culture, spirituality and language spread and blossom, nurturing the country's children in the ways of the ancestors. She chose UCA as her vehicle for this vision.
Tawai is also kai-awhina - helping guide - for the Maori component of The Virtues Project resources for New Zealand. Her Tikanga mo nga Taonga Horomata is a treasure in itself. Through UCA Tawai does detailed translation work in the cause of children's welfare - for example, the International Charter of Children's Rights.
Feel free to contact her about any of our current Maori or bilingual resources, or with your ideas for new resources in te reo Maori.
Last Updated: June 18, 2007