Iwi, Hapū
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A Guide for Iwi and Hapū to the preparation of Long-term Māori Language Development Plans
The following text was published by the Commission in March 2000 as a practical guide to encourage iwi and hapū to develop long-term language plans.
You can order a hard copy here
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Introduction | The
Māori language in the 21st Century | Iwi
and hapū planning for the Māori language | Long-term
planning | Setting your
objectives | Where are we
currently? | Setting your
short-term goals and work programmes | Developing
a work programme | Implementing
your plan | Funding | Keeping
track of progress | Conclusion
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The Māori language in the 21st Century
The new century carries the prospect of great change and technological advances. For iwi and hapū there will be many exciting challenges and opportunities. Where does the Māori language fit into our thinking about the 21st century? Will the Māori language be important? Who will be speaking Māori, where and why? These questions are not just idle speculations. They are real issues, and only Māori can provide the answers.
In the years to come, our children currently enrolled in Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori and Māori immersion programmes will be adults. They will be starting their own families. Will they choose to speak Māori to each other, and to their children? Will they send
their children to Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori?
The answers to these questions are in the future, but we can help ourselves, and our children now to address questions about the role of the Māori language in their lives and with their new families. By planning longterm, we can provide directions for our children and share our ambitions for the Māori language with them.
In modern society, it is tempting to look for instant solutions. However, language revitalisation is a long-term process. Miracles won't happen overnight. Some experts have suggested that language revitalisation can take up to 60 years in favourable conditions. It will take time to increase knowledge of te reo, and to change the way that people perceive Māori, that is to 'resocialise' people to see Māori as an ordinary medium of communication.
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