Maranga Mai! Te Reo and Marae in Crisis?

Download or read book Maranga Mai! Te Reo and Marae in Crisis? written by Merata Kawharu and published by Auckland University Press. This book was released on 2014-08-01 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent decades, New Zealand Maori have made huge efforts to reinvigorate their language (te reo) and the life of tribal meeting places (marae) as the twin cornerstones of Maori identity. Maori television and radio stations have been set up, a Maori Language Commission established and language emersion early childcare centres (kohanga reo), schools (kura kaupapa) and universities (wananga) have emerged. Old marae gained new coats of paint and new marae were established. But despite these efforts, te reo and tribal marae today seem to be in crisis. The number of children in kohanga reo is down 34 per cent from its peak. Only 15 per cent of Maori children are attending Maori-medium schooling. And fewer and fewer people are participating in marae activities. Without a living language spoken regularly on the marae or in everyday lives, what does the future hold for Maori and for the nation of Aotearoa New Zealand? Focusing on the northern tribal district Tai Tokerau as a case study but with conclusions applicable across the country, the leading Maori scholars and elders in Maranga Mai! ask these key questions and pose potential solutions. The chapters provide personal accounts and stories, statistics, demography and policy questions – and present important challenges for current and new generations of leaders to resolve.