September 14, 2020
Māori Language Moment shows wide support for revitalisation strategy
The chief executive of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori says it’s essential the commission targets all New Zealanders to use more of the language and not just Māori.
The commission had 1,023,436 people registered to take part in its Māori language moment which took place at noon today.
Ngahiwi Apanui says it was a great result and shows the widespread support for its goal of having more people use the language any place at any time.
He says te reo Māori doesn’t exist in a bubble, and it’s vital it be part of everyday life in Aotearoa.
"Or we’re going to continue to have this issue where we have our children going to kōhanga reo, going through kura kaupapa, kura Māori rānei, realising at 10 or 11 that te reo Māori is not the main language in our country or is not a language that is valued in the same way it is when you are in a Māori language bubble. So rather than saying let's have a Māori language domain over there, why not invite the rest of the country to become part of the revitalisation effort," Mr Apanui says.
Activities and responses to the Māori language moment are at tuku.reomaori.co.nz/
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