Sound: te reo in the House of Representatives

Hear Clerk of the House T.D.H. Hall talk about Māori Members of Parliament using te reo in the House.

Transcript

One of the Māori Members I had to provide an interpreter for. The only one in my time and he used to tell me beforehand. One night to my astonishment he got up to speak when there was some debate on a Māori subject, and it was quite impossible to get an interpreter then. However, he started off 'Mr Speaker. When I speak in this House, I speak in Māori. I can speak English, but when there are ladies in the gallery I think it better to speak in Māori. I learned my English from a bullock driver.' The House received this statement with very great joy I may say.