Is the Health of Te Reo Maori Improving

Abstract

This paper compares the statistics about the health of te reo Maori from the 2001 and 2006 national surveys and the language knowledge question in the 2001 and 2006 censuses. Three areas are considered: children's use of te reo, gender differences in te reo speakers, and speaking proficiency in te reo, both nationally and regionally. The paper argues that the data from the national surveys is not reliable enough to provide a good picture, and the figures from the censuses show few positive signs that knowledge of te reo is strengthening rather than declining. It is also suggested that the current national survey methodology is not serving its intended purpose, and it is argued that a different language strategy might needed if te reo is to be preserved.

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