Te Petihana Reo Māori 50 years on: Renewed calls to increase funding for te reo in schools

September 14, 2022

Interview by Emilia Sullivan, adpated by Jessica Hopkins

People marched in Pōneke on 1 August 1980, to demand that Māori language have equal status with English. Seven years later te reo Māori became an official language of Aotearoa. Photo: New Zealand History.

Today marks 50 years since the Māori Language Petition was delivered to parliament, with more than 30,000 people calling for te reo Māori to be taught in schools.

But the Māori Principals Association, Te Akatea, and NZEI Te Riu Roa say more funding is needed to build te reo Māori capability in kaiako (teachers) and kaiawhina (teacher aides). 

President Liam Rutherford told 95bFM's The Wire that there is a widespread desire to see te reo Māori grow and prosper, but that the government needs to do more to ensure all tamariki Māori can access excellent education and be in front of a teacher that speaks te reo Māori no matter what school or kura they attend.

"This year's successful pay equity claim for kaiārahi i te reo Māori was one step towards recognising the value of skilled proponents of te reo. But the union also wants greater recognition of teachers with te reo Māori me ngā tikanga expertise, and for increases in resourcing for upskilling the reo of Māori teachers already in schools."

NZEI Te Riu Roa's pay equity claim for kaiārahi i te reo Māori, who have in-depth knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori saw kaiārahi win pay rises of up to 82%. 

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air