Revitalizing Indigenous Languages II: The Maori Experience

Greg Smith is a Consilium consultant who has worked on various language revitalization projects around the world. This is the second in a series of articles on international approaches to bringing indigenous language back into day-to-day life. 

New Zealand has a total population of around 4 million. Of these about 14 per cent, or just over half a million people, are Maori.

Until the 1930’s most Maori lived in rural areas, and the Maori language was widely used in all aspects of Maori life, including homes and communities. However schooling of Maori children was almost entirely in English - sound familiar? - and Maori children were often punished for speaking their language.

By the 1970’s Maori was a marginal language used only in a few homes and for religious activities. There was concern that the language would die out completely within a few years.

That hasn't happened.


In response to these concerns, Maori groups and communities began a number of language initiatives focused on education.  Maori radio broadcasting was first introduced in the 1980’s and Maori television in 2004.

Initiatives to support the language were initially focused within the Ministry of Maori Affairs; but over time, as the movement gathered momentum, many other government departments and agencies became involved. In 1987, the passage of the Maori Language Act made Maori an official language of New Zealand, along with English. The Act created the Maori Language Commission, which supports the language through terminology development, setting of raising standards, and (since the mid-1990’s) through planning at the community and tribal levels. The Maori Language Commission also provides planning support to government agencies, and administers a funding program for community language projects and programs.

But is it working?
Research from 1999-2002 confirmed that the numbers of Maori speakers had stabilized at around 25 per cent of the Maori population, although only about 9 per cent of adults had high proficiency at speaking the language.

In 2003 the Ministry of Maori Affairs published the Maori Language Strategy. This outlined ways for Maori and government to combine efforts to ensure better planning and coordination. The vision includes having the Maori language widely spoken by Maori by 2028, and developing an appreciation among New Zealanders of the contribution of the language to their society. It specifies roles for Maori and government in Maori language revitalization. Each lead agency is required to develop detailed implementation plans for the next five years, including targets and resources required.

Education

From the early 1900s, policies discouraged the use of Maori in schools; by the 1960s speaking and teaching Maori was viewed as an impediment to learning English. However, a petition was presented to Parliament in 1972, requesting that the Maori language be offered in all schools and the first bilingual school was established in 1978.

In 1982 the first Kohanga Reo (Language Nests) opened. These are highly successful early childhood immersion services, in which infants are immersed in a complete language environment. This innovation is now viewed as an essential element of any language retention strategy, and has been adapted for use around the world.

There are now around 600 Maori language early childhood immersion services in New Zealand. Another 14 per cent of Maori school students are taking some of their education in Maori at one of 430 schools that offer this opportunity. A number of post-secondary institutions also offer Maori language programs.

Broadcasting

Maori language broadcasting is a key element of the government’s Maori Language Strategy. Twenty Maori radio stations receive government funding and in 2003 New Zealand passed the Maori Television Service Act, and in March 2004 Maori Television was launched, beginning with 8.5 hours per day of mostly Maori language programming. In the first few months after launch, both Maori and non-Maori audiences were growing.

Many challenges remain.  A significant number of Maori parents prefer their children to learn English, and few go all the way through the school system in Maori. The quality and availability of teachers is also a major issue.And Maori-language broadcasting faces the same challenges that public broadcasters face everywhere - declining funding, audience fragmentation, and the difficulty of capturing young viewers in a multi-media universe.  However, important progress has been made, and many lessons learned - lessons with real application here in Canada.


Next: Hawaii.