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A new study into the state of the Maori language which begins this week will use people from local communities to find out how te reo Maori is being used as a means of communication in daily life.
The ‘Te Ahu o te Reo’ project will see 24 researchers working in eight areas to measure the health of te reo Maori in homes and communities.
Researcher Kiwa Hammond says a key component is that the researchers will be working in their own communities.
" So its important that people from in those communities are the ones who are actively involved and actually leading the research in those commuinities as opposed to an outsider coming in and trying to get that information. Our people have been subjected too many times and it's hoha" he says.
Kiwa Hammond says when complete the results will inform funding and delivery of Maori language programmes to ensure the best results for the language.
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