Michael Lambert

Te Tohu Paetahi has been life-changing to Michael Lambert, who recently completed the one-year te reo Māori immersion programme at the University of Waikato.

Growing up, Michael had minimal exposure to te reo Māori. Now, he’s an active participant in the revitalisation efforts to ensure taonga are inherited by future generations.

“Te Tohu Paetahi has a reputation for the immersive te reo Māori environment that it offers eager participants in the acquisition and revitalisation of te reo. It was difficult to let this opportunity pass by,” Michael says.

“A full-time Māori initiative within a major tertiary institution is an evident strategy for language acquisition and is expertly facilitated. From the passion and support of the kaiako to the whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) of other like-minded students, it has been a truly broadening experience that has invigorated me to pursue future studies.”

Michael is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Te Reo Māori and Māori & Indigenous Studies, as he considers using the qualification towards a teaching career.