Week Three - Lecture One - Te Reo Rangatira

Te Reo Māori Language Revitalisation

  • Māori Language: Te Reo Māori, one of the few Eastern Polynesian languages in the vast Austronesian family, highlights the deep cultural roots stemming from ancient Polynesian migration.

Cultural Foundations and Historical Context

  • Historical Background:

    • The first European-style school for Māori was established in 1816 at Rangihoua.

    • By the 1830s, numerous schools emerged, primarily led by church missions (Methodist and Catholic).

    • Interest grew among Māori in European advancements (e.g., ships, tools).

    • The Native Schools Act 1858 mandated that Māori students attended schools away from their communities, pushing towards English as the primary language of instruction.

    • A significant decline of Māori language occurred after the 1867 Native Schools Act, ultimately leading to punishment for students speaking their native language.

  • Shift in Education:

    • Post New Zealand Wars, village primary schools standardized under the Native Department, growing English-dominant curricula while suppressing Māori.

    • By the 1970s, Māori spoke primarily in marae and church settings, prompting young Māori to petition for language education and eventually, establishment of Te Kohanga Reo in the early 1980s.

Language Revitalisation Efforts

  • Te Kohanga Reo & Kura Kaupapa Māori:

    • Te Kohanga Reo promotes early childhood immersion in the Māori language, forming language nests.

    • Kura Kaupapa Māori, founded in 1985, focused on Māori language immersion and cultural values, offering continuity for children transitioning from Te Kohanga Reo to schooling.

  • Connections to Identity:

    • Te Reo is integral to Māori identity, with language linking to cultural mana (status).

    • Key identity markers include conoscenza of whakapapa (genealogy), mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), and visible cultural symbols.

    • Language loss has historically been used as a method for cultural assimilation.

Modern Day Initiatives

  • Te Reo Māori Policy (UoA):

    • Universities adopt policies supporting Te Reo Māori revitalisation and integration into their education frameworks.

    • Aims to enhance language acquisition among all students.

  • Māori Language Week:

    • Celebrated annually since 1975; promotes the Māori language and encourages its use in daily life.

  • Legislative Support:

    • The Māori Language Act 1987 conferred official status to Te Reo, facilitating its use in legal contexts and subsequently amending in the 2016 legislation.

Barriers and Moving Forward

  • Challenges:

    • Transition from family-based language learning to formal education resulted in reduced use of Māori language at home.

    • Efforts are ongoing to encourage intergenerational language transmission and community engagement with Te Reo.

    • Overcoming national identity crises following major conflicts has impacted Māori language use.

  • Community Engagement:

    • Encouraging families to integrate Te Reo into daily conversation promotes natural use as a mother tongue.

    • Resources such as Karakia (prayers), waiata (songs), and access to online courses are essential.