Listen Now: 
A Maori language advocacy group is pushing for te reo Maori signage to be mandatory in public institutions including airports and banks.
Maraea Hunia says signage in other languages is starting to appear in businesses but Maori needs to be the first option.
She says it's about the message it sends to children.
"As iwi, as whanau we can korero Maori to our tamariki but as soon as they step out of the door they need to see our language everywhere just as they see the English language. If they see the language out there, their perception of te reo Maori rises," Ms Hunia says.
The support of non-Maori through gestures such as signage is critical for the survival of te reo Maori.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
