Maori language progress queried

Press, 27 January 1987, Page 5

Maori language progress queried

PA Wellington The Wellington Maori Language Board has taken issue with comments on the Maori-language made by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, at the kohanga reo hui in Ngaruawahia. In a speech on video screened at the hui opening on Friday, Mr Lange said the Maori language would one day have the same standing as English in New Zealand.

One day it would be taken for granted in Government, in law and in business, he said. However, the board, Nga Kaiwhakapumau i te Reo, said progress in Maori language would not be due to efforts of the present Government.

The Government’s Maori Language Bill, introduced to Parliament last year, limited the right to use Maori in the courts only, the board said.

The secretary of the board, Mr Piripi Walker, said the Government should heed last year’s findings of the Waitangi Tribunal on the Maori language.

The tribunal recommended that legislation should be passed to allow the use of Maori on all public occasions, in the courts, and in dealing with Government departments, local authorities and public bodies. The tribunal finding was the result of a claim taken to the tribunal by the board. Mr Walker said it was ironic Mr Lange had made his comments to the hui, at a time when an estimated 95 per cent of children graduating from Kohanga reo centres in the Wellington area were losing their fluency in Maori after a year at school.