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Brief Overview
In 1988, the concept of establishing a Māori Language Institute was proposed by Tīmoti Kāretu and the other Commissioners of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. The aim was to gather together Māori language experts who would provide high level Māori language training primarily for teachers, but also for translators, interpreters, broadcasters, journalists and other specialist career fields. It was also envisioned that an Institute would provide a means of passing on the knowledge and Māori language skills of older fluent native speakers to the current generation of Māori language speakers, a task that becomes ever more urgent as the population of native speakers rapidly diminishes.
Over the past decade both Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Te Puni Kōkiri have identified the need for, and sought to establish an entity focused on providing intensive te Reo Māori immersion courses to raise the skill base, proficiency and competency levels of Māori language speakers.
In October 2000, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori gathered representatives together from organisations with a Māori language focus, and formed a Komiti Whakahaere to explore the viability of the concept of establishing a Māori Language Institute. The concept was also raised and forwarded as a recommendation at the Hui Taumata Mātauranga held at Turangi / Taupo in February 2001.
Summary
Concerns
There is a need to:
- Improve the standard of Māori language
- Apply consistent overarching standards
- Strengthen, support and complement current Reo Initiatives
Possible Solutions
- Maintain support for all Reo Initiatives
- Strengthen networks with current Māori language providers
- Establish a MāORI LANGUAGE INSTITUTE staffed by tutors with exemplary language and teaching skills
A National Māori Language Institute
- To improve overall quality of Māori Language used in:
- All levels of teaching
- All areas of life
- To support Intergenerational Transmission of Reo
- To support Reo Initiatives
Potential Clients of the Institute
- Teachers, native speakers, broadcasters, second language learners, journalists, parents, translators and interpreters, public servants, specialist career field groups, puna reo and others.
Outcomes
- Excellence in Te Reo Māori
- High standard of Te Reo Māori taught at all levels
- Support for high standard Māori language initiatives
Progress
- Komiti Whakahaere formed
- Preliminary research completed
- Consultation continuing
Future Goals
- Trial Upskilling Course
- Active participation
- Co-ordination and co-operation between Māori language providers
- A Māori Language Institute
If you would like to be involved with the further development of this project, or to have your views included, please email wharewananga@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz with your name, contact details and your email address.
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