Review of the Māori Language Strategy and Sector

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) supports and expects to fully participate in the Review of the Māori Language Strategy and Sector announced by the Minister of Māori Affairs last night.

“Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori role is to support Māori language revitalisation efforts, promote and preserve the integrity of the language and provide advice to the Minister and wider public sector on language issues as required”, says Chief Executive, Glenis Philip-Barbara.

“As such we welcome the Review if it leads to improving coordination of language initiatives across the public sector such that resource, funding and capacity is more accessible for iwi, hapū, whānau and other language speaking communities”, says Glenis Philip-Barbara.

In the main the Review seeks to understand current expenditure better with a long term view of creating more efficient government investment in the language.

“However inherent in these high level changes is the need to ensure that a difference is made to the way the language is supported in communities and in homes. We expect this to be the driving force of the review and certainly Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori participation in it will reflect this ideal” says Glenis Philip-Barbara.

“As an organisation with a singular mandate for the language and with a responsibility to represent the language interests and issues of iwi, hapū, and other speaker communities, the Board and Board Chair also look forward to working with the independent panel that the Minister has brought together to perform the Review”, says Glenis Philip-Barbara.

ENDS

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