In this paper, we explore the intersections in our teaching practice between the discipline of linguistics and te reo Māori. From the perspective of language teaching, in pedagogic materials for te reo Māori, we have observed that linguistic concepts are not typically highlighted (cf. Moorfield 2001, Jacobs 2012). From the perspective of teaching linguistics, te reo Māori is seldom employed to illustrate or assess linguistic concepts, although it commonly features in accounts of language revitalization. Content that does occur is limited (cf. Burridge & Stebbins, 2016). As a tertiary lecturer of the Māori language, I (Kanauhea) consider how, in my teaching practice, I draw on my technical knowledge of linguistics to enhance my explanations of language structures and their functions, where these are unfamiliar to language learners. As a tertiary linguistics lecturer, I (Julie) consider ways in which I draw on my beginner knowledge of te reo Māori to enhance my teaching of linguistic concepts, reflecting on materials I have developed to teach and assess students. We argue that students of te reo can benefit from linguistic understandings on their language learning journeys. Equally, as Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous language, te reo Māori should have a strong presence in linguistic teaching materials, and our linguistics students should graduate with an indepth knowledge of te reo Māori structures.