July 04, 2016
Greens keen on compulsory reo lessons
Maori language week has started with a parade through the streets of Wellington to make te reo Maori visible.
Green MP Marama Davidson was on the march, and says it shows Maori are determined te reo lives and breathes for future generations.
But that's not enough, which is why the Greens want the Government to go further.
"We would actually like to see te reo be a core subject in schools of course with the resource and with the training and the full support that it needs. We feel that making it a core subject would be a really strong start to ensuring that the follow up happens as well," says Marama Davidson.
Te taura Whiri i te Reo Maori today opened its last Ma te Reo funding round.
It has $3.2 million to support whanau, hapu, iwi and Maori community organisations to develop and implement community initiatives which contribute to te reo Maori revitalisation
The range of activities that have been funded through Ma te Reo includes running Maori language courses, producing Maori language resources, developing Maori whanau, hapu, community language plans and strategies; and supporting locally based language events.
It's open to iwi, hapu, marae, whanau, and Maori and community organisations.
Applications close on July 31, and interested in applying must register online at www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz.
Future Ma te Reo rounds will be administered by Te Matawai, the new body which will set language strategy for Maori.
MARAMA DAVIDSON INTERVIEW
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