Govt’s ‘aspirational goal’: aim to have 1 million people speaking Maori by 2040

WELLINGTON: The Government has pledged to ensure one million people in New Zealand are able to speak basic Maori by 2040.

The Crown’s Maori Language Strategy was launched yesterday at the national kapa haka festival Te Matatini.

A key focus of the strategy will look at building te reo capability of rangatahi, and developing initiatives to foster language learning.

These will include regional workshops, a social marketing campaign to promote te reo and a series of digital te reo lessons available on a variety of media.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wanted people to feel confident speaking Maori.

‘‘We’ve got a really aspirational goal.

‘‘We want by 2040 a million New Zealanders to be able to karero with confidence in te reo Maori, so we’ve got a lot of work to do to get there.

‘‘I’ve been very open about the fact that I’m on a language journey.

‘‘I hope by being open about that perhaps I’ll create a space for others to be comfortable about learning in a very public way.’’

Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the launch of the strategy was a major step forward in the Crown’s responsibility to protect te reo Maori.

‘‘Te reo Maori is special to Aotearoa as it provides a unique context to experience our culture and history and the language is an important way to share our values and worldview.’’ — RNZ