Hon Te Ururoa Flavell

Public views sought on proposed changes to the Māori language bill

The Māori Language Advisory Group (MLAG) is proposing some changes to parts of the Māori Language (Te Reo Māori) Bill.

The Group was set up in December last year to provide the Māori Development Minister with independent and expert advice on the proposed legislation.

“While most iwi and Māori support the intent of the Bill there have been some issues raises around the implementation of the proposed legislation. The MLAG has proposed changes to address some of those concerns,” says Māori Development Minister Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

“It’s the first time that we have gone back out to consult after the first reading of a Bill in the house, we’re doing this because it’s important for iwi, hapū and whānau Māori to get an opportunity to look at what the Advisory Group’s findings may mean for them,” he said.

The proposed changes include the governance, funding, strategy and coordination of Te Mātāwai; a strategy focusing on language planning at the community level; the setup of a Te Rūnanga Reo – a group comprising of members from Te Mātāwai and relevant Crown Ministers and others.

The Māori Language Advisory Group will submit the final report on the Bill to the Minister by 30 June 2015.

There are 15 planned consultation hui being held across Aotearoa New Zealand for more information on the hui click here

ENDS

© Scoop Media