18th February 2014
Cross-Sector Group Calls for Te Reo Māori for All New Zealanders
An Auckland-based group working towards an Auckland Regional Languages Strategy is calling on the Minister of Māori
Affairs and Te Taura Whiri (the Māori Language Commission), to include a separately-funded section in the new draft Te
Reo Māori Language strategy, promoting Te Reo for all New Zealanders.
The call comes as consultation hui on the new Te Reo Māori strategy are held around New Zealand, following the release
of the Government’s draft strategy in December. The cross-sector group includes members from many different language
groups across Auckland.
The group is asking the Government to recognise that Te Reo Māori is a priority language for all New Zealanders, a
taaonga of Aotearoa/New Zealand, and that if the language is to survive and flourish, it needs to be valued, and used
across the wider community. While the draft strategy allows for non-Māori to learn the language, there is no proactive
strategy or promotion of Te Reo for Pākehā and non-Māori. The group believes it should be an issue of citizenship to
have access to and be able to use both English and Te Reo in our everyday lives. The group also wants to see a greater
emphasis in the strategy on the role of the education system to support Te Reo Māori revitalisation for both Māori and
non-Māori.
Language researcher John McCaffery states, “We believe that if all New Zealanders spoke English, Te Reo Māori and one
other language of their choice, we would become a truly bilingual/bicultural nation, able to gain full benefit from our
linguistic diversity. That will only be possible with the supporting backup and resourcing of the education system.”
COMET Auckland Chief Executive, Susan Warren, who coordinates the cross-sector group, explains: “The knock-on effects of
having a multi-lingual population knowing Māori and their own languages would be significant, particularly for
trade/export opportunities and tourism ventures. Ideally, we’d also see more recognition of the importance of the
education sector - at all levels - as a support mechanism for language learning, maintenance and use. There is a wealth
of research into the positive impact that speaking more than one language can have on cognitive learning abilities.
Education is a key factor in lifting people out of poverty, improving race relations and increasing economic growth.”
The group supports the strategy’s recognition that control and ownership of Te Reo Māori revitalisation needs to sit
with Māori. However, they seek assurances that the changeover and ongoing work of Te Reo Māori revitalisation will be
adequately supported through both funding and policy.
Warren says, “It’s imperative that all hapu/iwi are supported and engaged in their efforts to revitalise the language.
The last thing we want to see is ownership changes becoming a way for Government to back out of its existing legal
constitutional obligations in supporting and funding Te Reo revitalisation in all areas of education, broadcasting,
internet and radio.”
ENDS