19 July 2012

Media Release

Bi-lingual District Courts is a good ruling for te reo

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) were thrilled to hear the announcement made by Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue regarding bi-lingual greetings in District Courts this week.

“This is a positive move and a useful means by which we can continue to work toward realising the aspirational focus of the Māori Language Act 1987 which speaks of enabling te reo Māori as an ordinary means of communication,” says Chief Executive Glenis Philip-Barbara.

“We should not forget that section 4 of the Māori Language Act 1987 established the right to speak Māori in legal proceedings, twenty five years on we are pleased to see this further development”, says Philip-Barbara.

“Our colleagues at the Ministry of Justice who are providing court staff with training and support in the appropriate use of te reo phrases are also due congratulations and thanks. This is a significant system change that takes a huge amount of good will and collaboration”, says Philip-Barbara.

“Arohatia te Reo, the theme for Māori Language Week 2012 encourages people to show their regard for the language. District Courts and the Ministry of Justice are demonstrating their ongoing support for Te Reo Māori. There is already a significant amount of te reo Māori spoken on a daily basis in other courts including the Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal and Rangatahi Youth Court. So this progression further realises New Zealand’s indigenous language as an ordinary means of communication. This exciting progression is a trend that we hope others will aspire to.”

ENDS

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