Te Taura Whiri (Maori Language Commission) former chief executive Haami Piripi, says creating a Minister for Te Reo Maori would be a retrograde move.
The idea was contained in a review of Maori language revitalization spending by Sir Tamati Reedy.
Mr Piripi told Waatea News that it would undermine the commission which was fought for through the Treaty claim process and would put the language at the complete mercy of the Government.
Rather than 'reshuffling the bureaucracy', he said Sir Tamati Reedy's review should have offered practical ways for iwi to work with the Crown to promote the language.
