Most said they would rather speak Maori if only they knew how to. They were sorry they knew little Maori but were pleased that their children had more chances to learn the language than they had. A lot of people wanted Maori taught in schools, and since the time of the survey many adults have gone to a wide range of Maori language and culture courses on local marae and at night classes to get to know more about their Maoritanga. Although English has taken over from Maori as the everyday language in the household and community, the Maori language was still important in the lives of many of the people we spoke to.
Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawke’s Bay | Hastings | 1970-79 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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