June 09, 2015
Reo bill changes taken to hui
The Maori Language Advisory Group is going on the road to consult on changes it wants to recommend to the Maori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill.
The group was set up in December last year to provide Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell a way to handle widespread discontent at the bill he inherited from his predecessor, Pita Sharples.
The group will report back to the Maori affairs select committee, who will put together the final bill to be presented to parliament.
Significant changes in the draft include retaining the Maori language commission Te Taura Whiri and broadcast funding agency Te Mangai Paho as crown entities, and widening membership of Te Matawai, the board that will oversee initiatives to protect the language.
Mr Flavell says there is also a strategy focusing on language planning at the community level and a proposal for Te Runanga Reo, which will bring together members from Te Matawai, relevant Crown Ministers and others.
The first of 15 consultation hui are in Kaitaia and Whangarei next Monday, followed by Tamaki Makaurau on Tuesday.
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