May 07, 2014
Survey reveals reo support gap
The Maori Language Commission is concerned the Te Kupenga 2013 survey shows the need for New Zealand to become a more reo-friendly environment.
Te Taura Whiri chief executive Pita Paraone says the survey reveals as many as one in three speakers of Maori do not use it at home.
That may be because they are isolated from other speakers, or be as a result of negative attitudes to te reo in the community.
He says to save te reo, Maori speakers need to be able to live their lives through the language.
That means the wider society needs to be positive about speakers and non-speakers using te reo Maori, increased awareness of the need to pass the language to the next generation, and ability to engage with business and government through te reo Maori.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd