Maori language research reports complete

A set of research reports, which shows the health of the Maori language is improving, has been completed by Te Puni Kokiri. 

“It’s great to be able to say that te reo Maori is in a healthier state than it was five years earlier,” said Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“These reports show Maori and non-Maori people have increasingly positive attitudes towards te reo Maori; more Maori adults can speak Maori; and te reo Maori is being used more, especially at home and by young children,” he said.

The reports are based on a national survey carried out in 2006, combined with earlier survey reports and census data. There is a national overview report, eight regional reports, and sector reports on the use of Maori language in education, broadcasting, arts, and archives.

“The series of regional reports have local data for community language planners, and information about local initiatives to revitalise regional or tribal dialects. The key facts are summarised into regional fact sheets, to make the information more accessible,” Dr Sharples said.

“While the picture is improving, we must remember that the starting point was the near extinction of te reo Maori. It is really important that the trends are good, but we must never get complacent. There is still so much to do.

“Maori language and education are intimately tied together. It was kaupapa Maori education, starting with kohanga reo, that played a critial role in turning around the future for our language,” he said.

“But the majority by far of Maori children go to mainstream schools, which are not doing well at educating our young people, and reinforcing their identity as Maori. Our children need to grow up in environments where Maori identity and culture are celebrated and flourish.

“These are very important issues for Maori - and no less important for non-Maori. Our reo is a taonga that we want to share – and we need our offer to be taken up, and for our reo to be widely used and enjoyed, to ensure its long-term survival and growth.

“Fieldwork has been completed for the next survey of public attitudes towards te reo Maori, and I look forward to seeing ther results when the data are analysed, towards the end of this year,” said Dr Sharples.

The next survey of the health of the Maori language is planned for 2011.

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples