Ngā hua o te ako i ngā reo e rua - The benefits of Māori immersion education

Enrolling your child in a kura Māori will help build on what you and your whānau are already doing at home to support their learning and development. It will provide them with an opportunity to be bilingual – that is, able to speak two languages fluently and naturally.

Keep your own whānau informed as to why you’ve chosen this pathway. Make sure they know that your children are special and that they’re learning the same subjects as all other children. Talk to them about the benefits of being bilingual and give them an opportunity to be part of the enrolment process.

There are lots of benefits in being bilingual. Research shows that children who are bilingual:

• have a strong sense of their own identity
• have good thinking skills
• have good problem-solving skills
• find it easier to learn other languages
• are able to appreciate other cultures
• are confident and have good self-esteem.

Being bilingual means your child will have better opportunities as an adult both here in aotearoa New Zealand and overseas - with skills and knowledge to contribute, participate and succeed in both te ao Māori (Māori world) and te ao whānui (global world).

“I had my doubts when my daughter said she wanted my grandchildren to go to a kura Māori. I thought it would mean they would miss out on learning English. But i can see now that they are confident in both languages – they have the best of both worlds. It is wonderful to see them growing up so sure of who they are and where they are from.” koro Tai Tahau