Pākehā grandmother in her 70s encourages New Zealanders to 'open your heart' to te ao Māori

A Pākehā grandmother who became a viral symbol of this year’s Matariki celebrations is encouraging other New Zealanders to embrace te reo Māori, regardless of their age. Gael Finlayson-Davis, who is in her 70s, recently shared her journey with RNZ after her emotional appearance at the national hautapu ceremony at Takaparawhau resonated with thousands across the country. Speaking on Saturday 25 July 2026, Finlayson-Davis described her commitment to learning the language as a step toward a better future. Although she first attempted classes in her 30s, the demands of her career as a probation officer and clinical psychologist meant she only returned to serious study after retiring. Now a student at Selwyn Community Education, she acknowledges that while the linguistic journey is challenging, it has unlocked a deeper understanding of the natural world and Aotearoa’s history. Finlayson-Davis emphasized that even small acts, such as pronouncing Māori place names correctly, serve as significant gestures of respect. She told RNZ that the generosity she has experienced from the Māori community has been immense, noting that those who take a step forward will be met with support. Her perspective has been shaped by her upbringing in rural Dargaville during the 1950s and 60s, as well as her professional years witnessing the inequities faced by Māori clients. While she finds some recent political shifts regarding Māori representation disheartening, Finlayson-Davis remains focused on the restorative power of the language. She remains mindful of the distinction between her own curiosity as a Pākehā learner and the profound emotional journey of Māori people reclaiming their ancestral tongue. Her message to others is simple: "Open your heart. Just listen and learn."