A third of the adults had been punished for speaking Maori as school children. They could still speak the language themselves, but some did not teach it to their own children because they did not want them punished as they had been. While the survey has shown English to be the main language spoken in most households and in the community, the Maori language still remained important in the lives of many of the people interviewed. Many parents were sorry that they could not speak the language better so that they could teach it to their own children. There were, therefore, many people who wanted Maori taught in schools. Some fluent speakers said that they were losing a hold on the language, as they had few chances to use it in everyday conversation. They said that the language of radio, television and newspapers was English, and many speakers of Maori would now rather use English.
Te Tai Tokerau | Northland | Far North | 1970-79 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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