The Maori people in these communities were suffering the effects of their isolation from any large Maori-speaking centre. Most of their neighbours and local friends could only speak English, and they themselves were mostly immigrants
to the district from other areas. By the time of the survey, the schools at least were teaching a little Maori, but this was hardly enough to bring the language back to life. Almost all the other linguistic influences, even in homes where parents could speak Maori, were English: radio and especially television would have been quite destructive to attempts to interest children in becoming really proficient speakers of Maori. It is for communities such as these that the Commission for the Maori Language, established in 1987, will have to fight hardest for a fair share of broadcasting time to be devoted to programmes in Maori for adults and children, fluent speakers and learners.
Waikato | Taupo | 1970-75 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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