Maori Language Week - Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori

A language revives

Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Maori Language Week. This is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate te reo Maori (the Maori language) and to use more Maori phrases in everyday life. In 2009 Maori Language Week will be 27 July–2 August, the theme is 'Te Reo i te Hapori – Maori Language in the Community'.

Te reo Maori is undergoing a resurgence and more people speak the language. There are Maori language schools, Maori radio stations, and in 2004 a Maori television channel began broadcasting. There was a time when some people objected to hearing Maori greetings such as kia ora. The campaign to revive the language has been long.

The future of te reo Maori was the subject of a claim before the Waitangi Tribunal in 1985. The tribunal's recommendations were far-reaching.  Maori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987, alongside English. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (Maori Language Commission) was established in the same year to promote te reo. Along with the Human Rights Commission and Te Puni Kokiri, it plays a key role in the annual Maori Language Week.