The future of te reo Māori is being pushed firmly onto the 2026 election agenda, with language policy organisation ReoPol launching a manifesto aimed at breaking down systemic barriers facing the language.
ReoPol’s 2026 Election Manifesto, Te Reo Māori: Neutral, Cherished, Freed, sets out a four-pillar approach designed to strengthen the long-term position of te reo Māori and encourage political parties to adopt evidence-based language policies.
Led by managing director and language policy expert Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder, ReoPol is an independent pakihi Māori and advocacy organisation rather than a political party contesting the election.
Its focus is on influencing those seeking political power by providing research, policy guidance and practical recommendations around the protection and normalisation of te reo Māori.
The manifesto comes amid heightened political debate over the place of te reo in government and public life, including changes to public sector branding and questions about how new legislation concerning the English language could interact with existing protections for te reo Māori.
ReoPol is advocating for language policy to be developed through evidence rather than political ideology, with te reo Māori treated as a living taonga requiring long-term planning and protection.
Another focus is removing bureaucratic barriers that can make it more difficult for government agencies and other organisations to confidently use and support te reo Māori.
ReoPol has also been developing guidance for public sector agencies seeking to maintain bilingual practices while navigating changes in government policy.
The organisation wants political leaders and voters to consider language revitalisation as a long-term national responsibility rather than an issue that changes direction with each government.
With Election 2026 approaching, the manifesto puts political parties on notice that their policies towards te reo Māori will be closely scrutinised.
For ReoPol, the challenge is ensuring te reo Māori is not simply celebrated symbolically, but is able to function, grow and thrive across government, workplaces, communities and everyday life for generations to come.
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