Although English has taken over from Maori as the everyday language in the household and community, the Maori language is still important in the culture and lives of many of the people we spoke to, particularly among the kaumatua age group. Many young adults and parents were sorry they could not speak Maori beyond simple words and phrases. But even though these people felt it was too late for them to start learning the language now, others were attending Maori culture and language classes at night school, and there were many people who wanted Maori taught in schools. Some of the people we spoke with felt that only the school could teach their children Maori; they were not trained to do so themselves.
Taranaki | South Taranaki | 1970-79 | 5% of Māori children can speak te reo. (1970-75) | Story is by tangata whenua
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