Māori Language survey

A $1.6 million survey to gauge the health of the Māori language starts next week.

The nationwide project, run by Statistics New Zealand on behalf of the Ministry of Māori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, is the most comprehensive survey ever carried out on the subject. Around 7,000 Māori aged 15 years and over will be asked questions such as how often they use te reo Māori , where they use it and how well they speak the language. Other questions will cover Māori language on radio and TV.

A previous survey in 1995 showed the language was in serious trouble, with only eight percent of Māori adults fluent in the language. A Te Puni Kokiri senior policy analyst, Tipene Chrisp, said both Māori and government had tackled the problem, although results if the survey would help initiatives in improving Māori language development programmes.

The survey results will be published in April next year.

Article published in Te Karere, Māori news, 23 May 2001

Want to learn te reo Māori ?

Check out our CINCH database on Internet.

Type in Māori language and hit the keyword box. You will get a good list of community groups and places that are offering Te Reo classes. Included in the information is the cost of classes and where the classes are held. You are sure to find a group or organisation that suits your needs.