Maori Language Week 2011

Backgrounder Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori

Probably one of the most important points to make about Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori is that it was established as a result of Maori protest. 

In 1985, Te Reo Maori Claim (WAI 11) was brought before the Waitangi Tribunal by Nga Kaiwhakapumau i te Reo Maori.  The claim sought protection of the Maori language as a taonga under Article Two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and furthermore asserted that the government had been derelict in its duties in this regard.  Proposed compensatory measures included provisions for Maori language in broadcasting, education, courts, government departments, and arts.  It is clear that language and its link to identity were key precepts to wider Maori struggles for recognition at the time.   

The Waitangi Tribunal released its Te Reo Maori report in 1986, and The Maori Language Commission (as it was known then) was established the following year with the passing of The Maori Language Act 1987.  A number of other significant pieces of legislation related to the claim were passed in subsequent years.

The act has had one amendment in its 23 years.  Made in 1989, the amendment sought to change the name from The Maori Language Commission – Te Komihana Reo Maori to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori – The Maori Language Commission.

The Maori Language Act 1987 confers four main functions on Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori:  to uphold te reo Maori as an official language of New Zealand; to promote te reo Maori; to administer certificates of competency; and, advise the Minister of Maori affairs as to language related matters as required.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori is an autonomous Crown entity, receiving funding through Vote Maori Affairs and accountable for that funding to the responsible Minister.  It is governed by a Board made up of a Chair, who is also The Maori Language Commissioner and four other Commissioners, all appointed by the Minister.  The Board in turn appoints a Chief Executive to manage the organisation, its annual appropriation and its staff. 

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori receives an annual appropriation of $3.1 million a year to execute its statutory functions.  The strategic objectives and operational outputs of the organisation are bound in a Statement of Intent which serves as a type of purchase agreement between the Minister and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.  It is renewed yearly and reported on quarterly.