Government Refreshes Maihi Karauna Strategy to Bridge Gap Between Support and Active Use

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of te reo Māori with the launch of a refreshed Maihi Karauna strategy. Announced by Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka, the update aims to transition the language from one that is widely supported to one that is actively spoken in everyday life. As the Crown’s official framework for Māori language revitalisation, the Maihi Karauna works in tandem with the Maihi Māori to support whānau and communities. Minister Potaka described te reo Māori as a taonga and a defining element of the national identity of Aotearoa New Zealand. As reported by Beehive.govt.nz and Waatea News, he noted that while public support for the language is on the rise, the new focus is on bridging the gap for those who are not yet actively learning or using it, encouraging all New Zealanders to recognise and embrace the value of the language. The objective is to ensure te reo is seen as a vital part of society, integrated more effectively within government operations and public services. The refreshed strategy maintains the long-term objectives set for 2040, which include significant growth in the number of speakers and a deeper integration of te reo Māori into the national identity. According to the Minister, the update incorporates the latest evidence on effective language growth and clarifies expectations for the public sector, sharpening the Crown’s specific role in the revitalisation process. The Government is continuing to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen te reo Māori across all state sector agencies throughout the country. Rooted in the partnership between the Crown, Iwi, and Māori under Te Ture mō te Reo Māori 2016, the strategy emphasises collective responsibility. Minister Potaka highlighted that while the Government maintains a leadership role, lasting change is driven by the efforts of whānau and local communities. The next phase involves a coordinated action plan across various government agencies to ensure a unified impact, with the ultimate goal of having more people speaking te reo Māori more often and in more places. Implementation details for government departments are currently being finalised as part of the broader revitalisation roadmap.