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$8 million has been given to the Maori Language Commission
to commission research into the vitality
of the Maori language.
The goal of the project, Te Puna Whakarauora, is to find out
how the Maori Language Commission can effectively allocate
funding for the upcoming decade.
Is the language dying or flourishing?
It's an issue that hasn't been researched for over 40 years.
All studies internationally say that
a language can be lost
in a generation and that it takes up
to three or more generations for it to be brought back.
Funding for Maori language is given mostly towards projects
under the Ministry of Education.
If this country wants to get serious with saving the language
then we will need to change the way we approach it.
It starts in the home.
So the Government has given $8m
to The Maori Language Commission to conduct research.
Many are still opposed to the use of Maori,
but the Commission's biggest concern right now is where will
that money be spent?
Should it be spent just on those who are interested?
Or should it be spent to get anyone and everyone to use Maori?
It was decided it needs to begin with families first.
One area of enquiry for the commission includes measuring
the current economic value the Maori language has in NZ.
We believe the economic importance of Maori language has increased.
It's possibly another way to get more people onboard to use Maori.
It's hoped the research will show how effective or otherwise
the various language programmes have been in past decades.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.