Commission for Maori language advocated

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 23

Commission for Maori language advocated

PA Wellington A proposal for a Commission for the Maori Language to revive and modernise the language was outlined to the Waitangi Tribunal last week.

Speaking on the final day of a hearing at the Waiwhetu marae in Lower Hutt, Professor Whatarangi Winiata said that the Maori language was a national taonga (treasure), just like the kiwi or the kokako, the rivers and the lakes.

It was part of the national scene but was now showing signs of decline. What was needed was a national commitment to save it.

“That commitment can be expressed through the establishment of an institution such as the proposed commission, which is given the necessary mana and financing to do the job,” Professor Winiata said. Professor Winiata, professor of accountancy at Victoria University, said that the commission could be modelled on the Commission for the Enviroment. Initially it should have nine or 10 relatively young and energetic staff members, and an annual budget of $500,000. Its first tasks would include: • Developing a longterm language revival pro-

gramme to discuss with national and international specialists. • Cataloguing all existing Maori language programmes. • Setting up a permanent committee or centre to modernise the language. • Creating awareness of the national advantages of reviving Maori. 9 Working closely with the Kohanga Reo (language nests for pre-schoolers) movement. • Looking at the role of television and radio in language programmes. • Working out a way of monitoring the health of the language during the next few decades.