March 11, 2014
Iwi too busy for reo revival
The early election throws into doubt the prospect of Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples getting a radical overhaul of Maori language strategy through parliament and Labour’s Maori spokesperson says that’s a good thing.
Shane Jones says even though the consultation period is now over, Dr Sharples has failed to brief Labour’s Maori MPs on his plan to create an iwi-driven super-board to oversee bodies like the language commission Te Taura Whiri and the broadcast funding agency Te Mangai Paho.
He says the language is still at a vulnerable stage, and adding an iwi name won’t make the strategy better.
"The language will strengthen as more people that use it and people that use it will not only see value in it but know it’s hard work and it’s worth the struggle, and most iwi leadership that I know are more focused on economic empowerment and don’t seem to spend much time or energy on language impairment and language rejuvenation," Mr Jones says.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd