14 October 2009
Media Release

Rugby World Cup Event a Matter of Language

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) acknowledges that its endeavour to promote the Māori language through the New Zealand hosting of the event is a test of national consciousness and attitudes to the Māori language.

Chief Executive Huhana Rokx says, “The use of the Rugby World Cup to promote a language is not new. In 1999 the Welsh Rugby Union promoted the ailing Welsh language in a high profile and meaningful way when it hosted the Rugby World Cup of 1999”.

“The promotion of the Welsh language through the Rugby World Cup resulted in major national awareness of the language and helped progress revitalisation efforts significantly. I believe that if we show our commitment to the Māori language like the rest of the world shows its fascination with our haka, we would not now be questioning why the Māori language and New Zealand’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup should go hand in hand”, says Huhana Rokx.

It is most certainly a test of our national consciousness around Māori language issues,” says Huhana Rokx.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori supports Māori Television’s bid for the free to air rights of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

“Ultimately it’s about securing a place for the Māori language in the Rugby World Cup event. People need not fear that they will be bombarded with the language in broadcasts as our intent is not to turn people off the language. Instead we will look at things like bilingual signage, the publications for the event, and some easy-to-learn phrases that fit comfortably with the game of rugby”.

ENDS

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