A plan to support Auckland's 160 languages is being drawn up in response to a call by the Royal Society for a national languages policy.
Auckland Council's education trust, Comet Auckland, says it is the only way to reap the benefits of being one of the world's most diverse cities.
Its chief executive, Susan Warren, says the lack of support for languages is holding back Auckland's Maori, Pacific and immigrant populations.
She says supporting and making use of those languages will increase educational achievement, skills and trade and social links with other countries.
Ms Warren says the hope is Auckland's language plan will encourage government support for languages nationally.
