Te reo Māori | Māori language

Te reo Māori is 1 of 3 official languages in Aotearoa New Zealand, along with NZ sign language and English. The language is central to Māori culture and identity. Te reo Māori forms part of the heritage of our country.

History of the Māori language — New Zealand History

Revitalising te reo Māori — bringing new life and energy

Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016 | The Māori Language Act 2016 created a partnership between iwi and Māori and the Crown to promote the knowledge and use of te reo Māori. The 2016 Act replaced the Māori Language Act 1987.

The Act established Maihi Karauna, the Crown Māori Language Strategy. One of the goals of the strategy is to have 1 million speakers of basic te reo Māori by the year 2040.

Māori Language Strategy | Te Whare o te Reo Mauriora — Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori

Ngā reo Languages — Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori language week

Every year since 1975, NZ celebrates Māori language during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. There’s a different theme each year and it’s a great time to learn and share with whanau and friends.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori

Important events

Māori Language petition 1972

In 1972, the Māori Language petition, with over 30,000 signatures was delivered to Parliament. The petition led to many changes for the revitalisation of te reo.

Te Petihana Reo Māori | The Māori Language Petition — NZ Parliament

Māori Language Act 1987

The Act recognised te reo Māori as an official language of NZ and gave it equal legal status to English. The 1987 Act has been replaced by Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016.

Te reo Māori recognised as official language — New Zealand History

Timeline of te reo Māori

Read about other events of importance to the history of the Māori language from 1200 to present day.

Te mana o te reo Māori timeline — Te Ara