$6 million secured to support whānau, hapu and communities

Media release

The Co-Chairs of Te Mātāwai, Mereana Selby and Waihoroi Shortland, today welcome the funding secured in Budget 2019 to support the work of Te Mātāwai in leading the revitalisation of te reo Māori amongst whānau, hapū and communities.

Mr Shortland says, “What we do in our homes and communities to raise capacity with te reo Māori will reinvigorate the cultural and social nurturing that the language will bring to Whānau and Māori communities everywhere ”

The last two years has seen Te Mātāwai establish its investment programme to support community driven te reo Māori revitalisation activities and commence a programme of research and evaluation to inform this work. 

Through Te Whare o Te Reo Mauriora, a partnership developed under Te Ture Mō Te Reo Māori 2016, Te Mātāwai shares responsibility with the Crown for advancing the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

Te Mātāwai is responsible for leading the implementation of the Maihi Māori, a Māori language strategy developed by and for iwi and Māori communities.

Mr Shortland says “Our partnership with the Crown is crucial in acknowledging the distinctive and complementary roles both Māori and Crown have for the revitalisation of our language.”

A $6m investment over the next 4 years will go towards strengthening Te Mātāwai’s kāhui model and influence the Crown’s investment in te Reo Māori.

“This will allow Te Mātāwai to work alongside whānau and communities so that te reo Māori is alive and flourishing, kia ūkaipo anō te reo" Mr Shortland says.

ENDS