27 July 2004

Understanding plus individual commitment needed for Maori language development

"More understanding by New Zealanders and individual commitment by iwi Maori is needed to ensure the future of Maori language."

That's according to Haami Piripi, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission). These words are echoed in the Commission's first ever Statement of Intent which will be launched during Maori Language Week this Thursday at 3.30pm in Wellington.

"We are proud of our achievements to date which have included winning an award for innovation in the Computerworld Excellence Awards for in the use of IT in Government, creating partnerships with Mircosoft and running successful Maori Language Week campaigns" says Mr Piripi.

"As with many organisations we operate in an environment where there are high expectations and limited funding. We are beginning to exercise the independence we have as an autonomous Crown entity and develop new opportunities that will benefit Maori language communities.

"This new Statement of Intent sets our direction for the next 3-5 years and outlines how we are going to get there."

"Priorities for the coming year are: to develop a strategy to build our research and information technology capabilities; complete Te Matapuna - the monolingual Maori dictionary; continue to expand our lexical database and to further develop reo Maori within whanau and communities."

The Statement of Intent is being launched on Thursday, 29 July, at the Commission as part of the Maori Language Week celebrations, at level 14, PSIS Building, Cnr of Featherson and Ballance Streets, Wellington.

For further information contact Lana Simmons-Donaldson, Communications Advisor, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, lana@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz, 04 4716 724, 0274 574 551.