Jenny-May Clarkson says in her home, it's Māori Language Week, every week

September 9, 2019

TVNZ1’s Breakfast presenter says learning the language has been an "amazing journey".

TVNZ1’s Breakfast new reader, Jenny-May Clarkson says not knowing te reo made her feel there was "something missing".

It prompted her to take up classes, saying it’s a journey that just continues.

“I went and did a total immersion class because there was something missing for me not having my language," she says.

“The thing about learning any language – but for me with Te Reo Māori, it’s up, down, up down."

Clarkson said learning the language is a path “you never leave”.

“It’s Māori Language Week every week for me in my home and with my sons, I only speak Te Reo Māori with them because I want them to have what I never had – belonging, having their language and knowing who they are.

“Even though I knew that, it was the language that put the pieces all together,” she says.

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