New partnerships can enhance te reo Māori

Human Rights Commission

 
New partnerships can enhance te reo Māori
 

Partnerships between Māori, Pacific and migrant communities have the potential to increase the use of te reo and other languages, says Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

Speaking at a Māori Language Week 2010 forum in Wellington today (29 July), Mr de Bres noted that there was a close affinity between Māori and other Pacific languages.

"During the week it was great to see widespread support by Progressive Enterprises staff from all cultural backgrounds; they were enthusiastic about using and learning te reo Māori.

"However, while the foremost priority is to increase the use of te reo, that is not incompatible with the promotion of the languages of other communities in New Zealand. In fact, they can be mutually reinforcing."

Mr de Bres said there had been a lot of support for Māori Language Week amongst Pacific and migrant communities, as well as from Pakeha this year. The Pacific Radio Network has been particularly active in promoting te reo during the week. Migrants, also, readily recognise te reo as the indigenous language of New Zealand and many want to learn it.

"What is needed is a National Languages Policy that addresses the maintenance of te reo Māori, Pacific languages, community languages and international languages in New Zealand, including the Prime Minister's call for New Zealanders to learn Mandarin," stated Mr de Bres.

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