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Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says his revised Maori language bill introduces a new way of the crown and Maori working together to revive te reo Maori.
The Maori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill was tabled back in Parliament today after the earlier version submitted by his predecessor Pita Sharples was reworked by a ministerial advisory group and then scrutinized by the Maori affairs select committee.
Mr Flavell says it retains Sir Pita’s intent of giving iwi and Maori a stronger leadership role in the goal to revive te reo Maori as a living language, but it also clarifies the roles of the crown.
The language strategy will be led by Te Matawai, a new independent statutory organisation.
But the idea of putting the Maori language commission Te Taura Whiri and broadcast funding agency Te Mangai Paho was dropped, and they will continue as independent crown entities.
The bill will be enacted in both te reo Maori and English with the Maori language text prevailing.
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