Young Māori Man Reclaims Language, Finds Healing and Identity

At just 25 years old, Rhoen Hemara is part of a generation dedicated to reclaiming a precious cultural treasure, te reo Māori, a language that was once suppressed in his family. Hemara, who identifies with the iwi (tribes) of Te Rarawa, Te Māhuruhere, and Ngāpuhi, grew up in an environment where te reo was absent but where tikanga Māori, or Māori customs, flourished. He recalls that values such as whanaungatanga (kinship), manaakitanga (hospitality), and aroha (love) were always present in his upbringing, even without the language.

Both of Hemara’s grandfathers were fluent speakers of te reo Māori. However, the trauma of suppression during their lifetimes led them to avoid passing the language on to their children. “On my mother’s side, my papa was part of the stolen generation, beaten for speaking te reo in schools,” Hemara explained. “He didn’t pass it on purely because of the trauma linked with it.” His experience resonates with many Māori families who faced similar challenges due to colonization.

This year marked a turning point for Hemara. Attending university allowed him to explore the history of colonization and its effects on his family. “Once I realized the history and the mamae (pain) our people went through, it made me want to immerse myself in te ao Māori (the Māori world) and te reo Māori,” he shared. Understanding the depth of the trauma helped him appreciate the significance of learning his ancestral language.

In 2025, after years of contemplation and encouragement from friends who had studied at Te Wānanga o Takiura, a leading Māori immersion institution in Tāmaki Makaurau, Hemara took the leap and enrolled in a full immersion course. “It was daunting,” he admitted. “I was literally drowning in te reo Māori. But I see the fruits of it now.” Despite facing considerable challenges, Hemara found comfort and safety among his peers and instructors, who he describes as whānau (family).

“We’re all on the same journey,” he noted. “Some have grown up with the reo, while others are just stepping into it for the first time. We understand the same mamae, and we’re able to support each other.” This sense of community enriched Hemara’s experience, leading to lasting friendships he now cherishes.

Te Wānanga o Takiura provides a range of courses designed to immerse students in te reo Māori, Tikanga Māori, and Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Hemara is currently enrolled in a one-year, full immersion Rumaki Reo course and is on track to graduate with a NZQA-approved Level 5 Diploma in Oral Māori Language Fluency. One of his most significant milestones was delivering his first whaikōrero, or formal speech, a moment he once thought impossible.

“It was terrifying, probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done, but I couldn’t have been more proud,” he said. This achievement represented not just personal triumph but a broader connection to his ancestors and family. “I realized I wasn’t just doing it for myself; I was doing it for my whānau, for my ancestors, and for my mokopuna (grandchildren) that are coming.”

For Hemara’s mother, witnessing her son speak the reo that had been taken from their family was deeply emotional. “It wasn’t just her being proud of me; it was everything,” he remarked. “All of those intergenerational effects that had been bestowed upon our whānau, all of that mamae rising, not just for me, but for her too.”

As Hemara delves deeper into te reo, he finds that it reshapes his worldview. “It has really changed the way I think, not just for myself but as a collective,” he said. “It humbles you and makes you empathetic.” This journey has also brought him closer to his whakapapa (genealogy), motivating him to reach out to family and learn more about his turangawaewae (place of belonging).

“There’s so much wealth in knowing who you are and where you come from,” he emphasized. When asked what advice he would offer others considering their own journey with te reo Māori, Hemara replied, “Take that first step and dive in. It’s the best thing you could do, not just for yourself but for those who have gone before you and those who are yet to come.”

For Hemara, reclaiming his language is not merely a personal endeavor; it is a commitment to future generations. He aspires to become a kaiako (teacher) so that others can embark on similar journeys. “Te reo Māori really was the missing piece to the puzzle. This journey has made me whole,” he concluded.

This article is part of an ongoing series by Māori news journalist Layla Bailey-McDowell, highlighting the experiences of individuals reclaiming the taonga (treasure) of te reo Māori and embracing their Māori identity. For more stories like this, consider subscribing to Nga Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter delivered to your inbox every weekday.