New Centre Working To Revitalise Te Reo Maori Established

New Centre Working To Revitalise Te Reo Maori Established

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, the Māori Language Commission, has announced today that it has established a new research centre devoted to supporting the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori.

He Puna Whakarauora (The Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori Centre for Research and
Development) will be dedicated to research related to the regeneration and revitalisation of Te Reo Māori. He Puna Whakarauora will have a nationwide focus and will engage with a broad cross section of Māori language stakeholders to gather much needed data and information, directing resources to where they are needed most.

“A dedicated organisation that can assess the impact of our efforts to protect the language and share that knowledge broadly is urgently needed. He Puna Whakarauora will fill this gap.” said Te Taura Whiri Board Chair Erima Henare.

He Puna Whakarauora will also help to direct resources to where they are needed most. Its research will help to identify the areas were Maori stakeholders can have the most impact, ensuring that Government funds are used in a cost effective and targeted way. He Puna Whakarauora builds on the strategic direction set by the Minister of Maori Affairs during Budget 2013.

“More can be done in partnership with iwi and other Maori organisations to revitalise Te Reo Maori. With up to date research and data we can target our efforts in a cost effective way and continue to make real progress.”

He Puna Whakarauora will release request for proposals in March 2014 seeking applications from researchers interested in working on key projects that will support the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori:

Establishing a national research agenda for the regeneration and revitalisation of Te

Establishing a research portal so that stakeholders can access the Centre’s

Measuring the health of Te Reo Māori in homes, updating the ground-breaking work

Measuring the value of Te Reo Māori on the growth of the New Zealand economy;

Evaluating the impact of ‘wānanga whakarauora reo’ (language revitalisation

“These projects are critical. Together they will lay the groundwork for further, evidenced based action to protect Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa”

He Puna Whakarauora will be headed by the current Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Glenis Philip-Barbara, and will be located in Wellington. It will be funded through existing operational funding provided to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori as part of Vote Māori Affairs for Budget 2013.

Pita Paraone has been appointed Acting Chief Executive and will continue with the work of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori while Ms Philip-Barbara is establishing the Centre.

ENDS

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