Former All Black first-five, Andrew Mehrtens is making a concerted effort to pronounce Māori names correctly. This was evident in the clash between the Hurricanes and visiting Jaguares outfit in Wellington, on Saturday night.
“New Zealand needs to do more to normalise Te Reo Māori. It’s not something we can lose” says the Sydney-based former All Black.
Now, a recognised sports commentator and broadcaster, Dale Husband says correct pronunciation in rugby commentary has been a long time coming.
“I have to take my hat off to our mainstream friends. They’ve really taken the bull by the horns with regards to the Māori lexicon” adds Husband, currently working as the breakfast show presenter for Radio Waatea.
Mehrtens, who made his All Black debut in 1994, was raised in Tuahiwi, in North Canterbury where his father taught Te Reo Māori at the local school. It is something that has stuck with the veteran to this day.
“I remember I was sitting with Alama Ieremia after a game, after a few jokes in the sheds he said, ‘You know Mehrts, you’re white on the inside, but on the outside – you’re black,” he laughs.
Mehrtens has been commended for the correct pronunciation of Hurricanes utility back, Otere Black, whose name has been mispronounced regularly during previous rugby commentary.
“I’ve just had to get used to it, they (mainstream commentators) aren’t speakers of the language, so I can see how it is difficult for them” says Black, today from Wellington.
Te Kaea sports reporter, Raniera Harrison speaks with Andrew Mehrtens about the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori through sports commentary on Te Kaea tonight at 5:30.
