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Speaking My Language Te Kōrero i Tōku Reo: A story of reconnection to te ao Māori from the New Zealand journalist and news presenter
Well-known journalist and presenter Mike McRoberts opens up about his experiences of reconnection to te ao Māori and learning te reo, and encourages others to do the same.
'Mike has bravely given voice to the inner conflicts and deep-seated longing many of us feel as we seek the power of reclaiming our language. Where we may have seen him as polished and unflappable, this intimate, vulnerable journey shows another side and will leave you inspired.' - Stacey Morrison
'Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero - discourse is the domain of chiefs; here Mike reveals the destiny that awaited him, because he sought the sustenance our language brings. He kōrero rangatira!' - Scotty Morrison
For much of his life, Mike McRoberts felt burdened by not knowing his own language - te reo Māori. Growing up at a time when te reo was scarcely spoken in daily conversations, and within a mixed-race family with little connection to Māoritanga, his experience mirrored that of many other New Zealanders of his generation.
In later years, as a journalist and presenter of Newshub's six o'clock news, his confident television persona masked the anxiety he felt greeting viewers with the simple phrase, 'Kia ora, good evening'. Not being comfortable speaking his language was a source of shame - a shame that ironically kept him from starting his te reo journey sooner.
In Speaking My Language / Te Kōrero i Tōku Reo Mike shares his story of that journey to speak te reo Māori and reclaim his identity. His book is an invitation for all New Zealanders to take the first step to understand why speaking our Māori language and treasuring our culture matters.
'Mike has bravely given voice to the inner conflicts and deep-seated longing many of us feel as we seek the power of reclaiming our language. Where we may have seen him as polished and unflappable, this intimate, vulnerable journey shows another side and will leave you inspired.' - Stacey Morrison
'Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero - discourse is the domain of chiefs; here Mike reveals the destiny that awaited him, because he sought the sustenance our language brings. He kōrero rangatira!' - Scotty Morrison
For much of his life, Mike McRoberts felt burdened by not knowing his own language - te reo Māori. Growing up at a time when te reo was scarcely spoken in daily conversations, and within a mixed-race family with little connection to Māoritanga, his experience mirrored that of many other New Zealanders of his generation.
In later years, as a journalist and presenter of Newshub's six o'clock news, his confident television persona masked the anxiety he felt greeting viewers with the simple phrase, 'Kia ora, good evening'. Not being comfortable speaking his language was a source of shame - a shame that ironically kept him from starting his te reo journey sooner.
In Speaking My Language / Te Kōrero i Tōku Reo Mike shares his story of that journey to speak te reo Māori and reclaim his identity. His book is an invitation for all New Zealanders to take the first step to understand why speaking our Māori language and treasuring our culture matters.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 8, 2025
Mike is just as eloquent in writing as he is in speaking. To not only experience the generational trauma of the loss of their reo and culture, but share that whakamā with the world, and the journey in reclaiming te reo Māori, is inspirational.
The forewords at the beginning of the book from Heidi and both Māia and Ben made me emotional. I loved learning of Heidi’s support as both Mike’s wahine and a Pākehā woman - not everyone is lucky enough to be unconditionally supported.
One of the most important chapters, in my opinion, was Mike’s explanation regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. “The concept of equality ignores the historical context and ongoing impact of breaches of Te Tiriti, colonialism and systemic racism on Māori communities. Equity, not equality, is required to address these imbalances… To insist on treating everyone exactly the same is to perpetuate existing inequalities and to effectively entrench them further.” Cmon Mike, say it LOUDER. I wish more people could be educated on this, and more importantly were open to being educated on this.
Mike frequently references his documentary Kia Ora, Good Evening in his book. I also watched this and was brought to tears. Seeing how nervous he was to speak his own reo, was emotional. Knowing how many tangata whenua experience this same anxiety and shame in learning te reo is a sad indictment on colonialism and the decades of trauma it has left.
Ka rawe Mike.
The forewords at the beginning of the book from Heidi and both Māia and Ben made me emotional. I loved learning of Heidi’s support as both Mike’s wahine and a Pākehā woman - not everyone is lucky enough to be unconditionally supported.
One of the most important chapters, in my opinion, was Mike’s explanation regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. “The concept of equality ignores the historical context and ongoing impact of breaches of Te Tiriti, colonialism and systemic racism on Māori communities. Equity, not equality, is required to address these imbalances… To insist on treating everyone exactly the same is to perpetuate existing inequalities and to effectively entrench them further.” Cmon Mike, say it LOUDER. I wish more people could be educated on this, and more importantly were open to being educated on this.
Mike frequently references his documentary Kia Ora, Good Evening in his book. I also watched this and was brought to tears. Seeing how nervous he was to speak his own reo, was emotional. Knowing how many tangata whenua experience this same anxiety and shame in learning te reo is a sad indictment on colonialism and the decades of trauma it has left.
Ka rawe Mike.
October 19, 2025
so good. inspiring. audiobook is for sure the way to go for korero reo books but i wish i was taking notes or something
October 6, 2025
Pretty predictable read and I felt it followed the pretty standard. Alienation, joined class, hard challenge, overcame it, you can too - story path.
However, the gem in this book is Chapter 14 in how Mike breaks down and explains the Tiriti o Waitangi and with eloquence just takes apart the arguments put forward by Hobson’s Choice and the Act Party.
If nothing else just read chapter 14. Well done Mike.
However, the gem in this book is Chapter 14 in how Mike breaks down and explains the Tiriti o Waitangi and with eloquence just takes apart the arguments put forward by Hobson’s Choice and the Act Party.
If nothing else just read chapter 14. Well done Mike.
September 21, 2025
Hari te Wiki o te Reo Māori! Te whakanui i te rima tekau tau! (Happy Māori Language Week! Celebrating the 50th anniversary!)
With it being 50 years since Te Pētihana (the Māori Language Petition) was presented on the steps of parliament, what better way to commemorate than picking this wonderful story about one of the many lost generation members who was forced to loose the connection to their reo reconnecting with his Tangata Whenua, his wakapapa, and his reo.
There were times I was fuming with fury over how cruelly a whole generation lost their connection to their native language, forced to conform to English speaking only. There were times by heart broke for McRoberts and many like him. There was bursts of pride and hope knowing that the future of reo Māori is bright because we will NEVER stop fighting to keep it alive.
The journey Mike McRoberts takes you on through this book is one of equal parts heartbreak and healing, anger and love. It is hard to walk away from this book feeling like their is more to do to ensure we continue to grow the reo Māori until it is never a question over it’s place in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kia Kaha Te Reo Maori. Ake Ake Ake A forever language.
With it being 50 years since Te Pētihana (the Māori Language Petition) was presented on the steps of parliament, what better way to commemorate than picking this wonderful story about one of the many lost generation members who was forced to loose the connection to their reo reconnecting with his Tangata Whenua, his wakapapa, and his reo.
There were times I was fuming with fury over how cruelly a whole generation lost their connection to their native language, forced to conform to English speaking only. There were times by heart broke for McRoberts and many like him. There was bursts of pride and hope knowing that the future of reo Māori is bright because we will NEVER stop fighting to keep it alive.
The journey Mike McRoberts takes you on through this book is one of equal parts heartbreak and healing, anger and love. It is hard to walk away from this book feeling like their is more to do to ensure we continue to grow the reo Māori until it is never a question over it’s place in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kia Kaha Te Reo Maori. Ake Ake Ake A forever language.
November 23, 2025
An inspiring and real read. Enjoyed learning more about Mike’s journey with te Ao Māori
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews