There were a number of people who were very keen for their children to learn Maori but, as one woman put it, while many parents want their children to learn Maori they are not in a position to help them. Consequently many people supported the teaching of Maori language in schools, which one woman said was essential as so few young people could speak or understand Maori to prevent it dying out. Although, as one woman pointed out, to learn the language properly, a child would have to hear it spoken in more places than just school, which meant that some follow up in the home and the rest of the community was also necessary. Some people, mainly grandparents, were making an effort to teach their mokopuna to speak Maori and for the most part said they were fairly successful.
Waikato | South Waikato | 1970-75 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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