Listen Now: 
The new Maori Language Commissioner says te reo Maori still needs a lot of support if it is to survive.
Wayne Ngata from Ngati Porou was appointed to fill the vacancy crated by the sudden death of Ngati Hine leader Erima Henare.
He says Te Taura Whiri has limited resources so it needs to be innovative, as well as form partnerships with agencies with deeper pockets and an interest in seeing the language thrive.
There is no room for complacency.
"Every year a number of languages disappear. The evidence shows that theres a declining rate of users of the language and that has to be addressed. If it has become one of those on the precipice, it''ll be a dying language" says Dr Ngata.
Wayne Ngata says the official status of te reo Maori is not reflected in its levels of everyday use, and that needs to change.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
