15 Jul 2012

Maori generation 'left behind' in te reo journey

2:25 pm on 15 July 2012

A Maori-language speaker says efforts to revitalise te reo are thriving, but one generation has been left behind.

The Government is exploring the idea of relinquishing most of its role in preserving the language and leaving it mainly to iwi and hapu, which hold the knowledge of each tribal dialect.

Te reo speaker Mere Waaka supports the idea but says more help is needed for people in the 30 to 60 age group.

She says that appears to be the generation that missed out, because of government policies at the time, including a ban on te reo in schools.

Ms Waaka says if the Government does hand over financial responsibility to Maori, more funding will be needed for adult language classes.