The Maori Language Commission - Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Maori - is praising Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, for securing more money to boost Maori language.
The Government is giving $8 million over four years for a new Maori language research and development fund which the commission will be administering.
Te Taura Whiri chief executive Glenis Phillip-Barbara said it shows the Government is committed to promoting te reo Maori, especially out in the community.
She said times have been economically tough in New Zealand recently and so the funding boost is a great relief.
Ms Phillip-Barbara said the commission will be able to further support the work in the community to teach and promote the language.
A total of $6 million in new money has been added to the commission's annual appropriation of $3.2 million.
This includes $2 million per year - for four years for research and development, $1.5 million for He Kainga Kōrerorero - a strategy for te reo growth in homes and on marae, and an extra $2.5 million for Mā Te Reo - which is a contestable fund for community language projects.
