He Waka Huia, He Waka Reo-ā-Iwi The importance of reo-ā-iwi in identity formation Tāwini Ngahiraka Mirian White A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Arts at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand May 2016 This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Paul and Claire White, for making sure I always had opportunities to learn te reo Māori. ii Abstract Dialect is often described linguistically, but there is a dearth of research being conducted that looks at reo-ā-iwi (tribal language variation) from a sociolinguistic point of view and what it means to speakers of the Māori language. This thesis examines the features of reo-ā-iwi informed by thirteen participants who have tribal language characteristics in their speech. This research is centred around participants who are active members of their Māori communities, both linguistically and culturally. This research examines reo-ā-iwi and its connection to whakapapa (genealogy and layers of relationships), hau kāinga (home, home people), lexicon, phonology and speed. During the early period of Māori language revitalisation efforts, the homogenisation of the Māori language was necessary in order to build the capacity of Māori language speakers. In doing so, reo-ā-iwi was made less prominent. The relevancy of tribal dialects have made a comeback through various revitalisation strategies. This thesis will look at the concept of reo-ā-iwi as a marker of identity, its importance to Māori language speakers and different components of reo-ā-iwi according to the participants involved in this research. iii Ka tuohu - Acknowledgements There are many who have contributed to the completion of this thesis, and I am wholeheartedly thankful to each and every one. My first acknowledgement must go to my participants. I thank you for your time, your stories and your trust. You are all role models in our Māori world and your words give me strength to carry on and uphold what still remains close to our hearts: our Māori language and our identity. I would like to thank my supervisor, Karyn Paringatai, for her insight into this research. I would also like to extend thanks to the University of Otago for providing me with essential financial support during the duration of my studies (University of Otago Master’s Scholarship). Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, six years in this department has meant that I leave with friends and family, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities you have provided me. Thank you to the many support systems I have been ever so lucky to have surrounding me, not only during my thesis, but during my undergraduate and post-graduate years. Te Rōpū Māori, Te Huka Mātauraka and my friends. Thank you for walking with me step by step on this journey. To my friends who bought me coffee, gave me books and extended their love, I am lucky to call you my whānau. E te tau o taku ate, Kelly Ann, kāore i ārikarika aku mihi ki a koe i tō kaha tautoko mai i a au i te kāinga. Ahakoa ngā tairo ā Kupe, ko koe tērā e kaha koke whakamua ana. Finally, my family. Mum, Dad, Te Hau and Kaahu, my own toka tū moana who always guide me home. Ko koutou te whakatinanatanga o te aroha. Tēnei au ka tuohu. This is for you. iv Notes The orthographic conventions used in this thesis follow those set by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission. The spelling of Māori words follow those in Williams’ Dictionary of Maori Language. Where applicable, vowel lengths will be marked using macrons, except in the case of quotations which are written as they appear in the original source. This thesis is written in English. All Māori words have been italicised except proper nouns and those that occur in direct quotes. This is done to reduce ambiguity of words that have been adopted into New Zealand English with a different, changed or restricted meaning. Translations of Māori words will appear once when they first appear and a glossary of all non-English words are attached at the end of the thesis. This thesis uses in-text referencing and footnotes have been used to further explain information without disrupting the flow of discussion. This thesis addresses contemporary issues such as reo-ā-iwi and identity formation, much of the literature and the participants’ responses are historic in nature. This is important because a lot of research on the Māori language had been undertaken in the 1970s-1990s to aid the promotion of the state of the Māori language. This thesis uses a combination of primary and secondary sources, with the inclusion of the researchers own personal knowledge where relevant. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ iii Ka tuohu - Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... iv Notes ................................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. vi Tables .............................................................................................................................................. ix Figures .............................................................................................................................................. x Pepeha ............................................................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1 - He tīmatanga ................................................................................................................... 1 Personal Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 He waka huia; He waka reo-ā-iwi ....................................................................................................... 4 Language ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Reo-ā-iwi ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter outline .................................................................................................................................. 10 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 2 - Ngā tikanga – Methodology & Method .......................................................................... 13 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Kaupapa Māori Framework .............................................................................................................. 13 Tino Rangatiratanga ...................................................................................................................... 15 Te Reo Māori ................................................................................................................................ 15 Whānau ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Qualitative Research ......................................................................................................................... 19 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Participant biographies - Kei ōku mōtoi kahotea .............................................................................. 24 Merirangitiria Rewi ....................................................................................................................... 24 Victoria Campbell ......................................................................................................................... 25 Keanu Ager ................................................................................................................................... 25 Poia Rewi ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Hine Parata-Walker ....................................................................................................................... 26 Hinerangi Puru .............................................................................................................................. 27 Tame Murray ................................................................................................................................ 28 Wayne Te Tai ................................................................................................................................ 28 Patu Hohepa .................................................................................................................................. 29 Haami Piripi .................................................................................................................................. 29 Huriwaka Harris ...........................................................................................................................