Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1994 — About Te Reo Maori (Maori Language): [ARTICLE]

About Te Reo Maori (Maori Language):

Nga Kaiwhakapumau I Te Reo Incorporated Society: ("persons or group working towards securing the plaee of language"): Last of a dozen regional language boards set up in 1981 by the Dept. of Maori Affairs to promote Maori language; eaeh received NZ$5000. Group keeps taking the government to court to demand protection of Maori language in all aspects of New Zealand society. Chairperson since inception: Huirangi Waikerepuru. In 1983-86 it launched the forerunner of today's regional, tribal-based Maoii language radio stations with Te Reo o Poneke, a weeklong campus radio program based at the University of Victoria in Wellington. Outcomes since 1986 Waitangi Tribunal finding on Te Reo Maori: • Establishment of the Maori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo) • Establishment of right to speak Maoii language in courts of law • Impact on bicultural awareness strategies in govemment agencies • Greater awareness of Treaty of Waitangi protection of language • 25 Maori tribal language radio stations Number of Maori language speakers: There are no up-to-date figures on Maori language speakers, according to Waikerepuru, though 1970 figures put the number at about 70,000, and it may be 50,000 today. Further, 10,000 have graduated from Kohanga Reo schools and 10,000 are now enrolled. [According to the UH-Hilo Hale Kuamo'o newsletter, in New Zealand there were almost no children speaking Maoii 10 years ago. "Today tens of thousands of children attend school totally in Maori in over 500 preschools similar to the Pūnana Leo, and in over 50 elementary and high schools, similar to the Kaiapuni Hawai'i immersion programs."] Privy Council: The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is set up by law as a court, made up of eminent judges who hear appeals from various courts in the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth.