Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T15:17:32.828Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Recent Efforts to maintain the Maori language by Ngati Kahungunu

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Joseph Selwyn Te Rito*
Affiliation:
EIT Hawke's Bay, NEW ZEALAND

Abstract

A survey of the Maori Language in the 1970's indicated that only 18% of the Maori population of New Zealand were fluent speakers of the language. A survey in 1995 indicated that this had dropped to only 8%! The Ngati Kahungunu, like other tribes have long realized the impact of the onslaught of the English language. As with other indigenous and minority cultures throughout the world, they realize the urgency of the problem of potential death of their language. With the knowledge that the language has such a pivotal part to play in the total culture of any people, Ngati Kahungunu have adopted a “just do it” approach to language revitalisation strategies. This paper looks at some of the initiatives recently and presently carried out by Ngati Kahungunu to save its language from extinction. The paper also particularly highlights the methodology of “rumaki” or total immersion teaching of all subjects in the Maori language.

Type
Part II. Contemporary Perspectives
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea and the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Territory University, Australia 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Cleave, P (1998). Notes from discussion, 10th 09.Google Scholar
Cook, L. (1997). Statistics New Zealand, Te Tari Tatau, Census of Poulation and Dwellings. Wellington.Google Scholar
Fox, D. (1998). Television interview with Maori Language Commissioner. “Marae” program on TV1, 2nd 08.Google Scholar
Mitchell, J.H. (1972). Takitimu - A History of Ngati Kahungunu. Te Rau Press, Wellington.Google Scholar
Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry of Maori Development (1998). The National Maori Language Survey - Te Mahi Rangahau Reo Maori. Wellington.Google Scholar
Te Rito, W. (28 08 1998). Oral interview at Omahu.Google Scholar