Ko te whare whakamana : Māori language revitalisation : a thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Māori Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

Efforts to revitalise the Māori language began in earnest with the establishment in 1981 of the first Kōhanga Reo (Māori language pre-school). Since this time, the growth of Māori medium education has been significant, and has also been complemented with language intitiatives in broadcasting and the public sector, including government departments. Some iwi (tribes), most notably Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga have also implemented long term strategic plans to secure the health of the language within the tribe. Theories of language revitalisation, however, highlight the importance of reestablishing the inter-generational transmission of the language within homes, something which until recently has received little attention with regard to Māori language. This thesis backgrounds the position of the Māori language, its linguistic, social, political and economic context for development into the third millenium, and presents a framework for its maintenance and revitalisation. The framework arises from data collected from 1577 participants in the Te Hoe Nuku Roa Baseline Study of Māori households, and interviews conducted with a sub-sample of participants who had identified as having either medium or high fluency in the language. The framework is based on the principles of Mana Māori (Māori control and responsibility), Mana Tangata (personal empowerment), and Tūhonotanga (interconnectedness). The various agents for Māori language revitalisation are identified in the framework, and it is argued that while each agent should focus on revitalisation activities most appropriate to themselves, it is important that activity is linked in some tangible way to the strengthening of Māori language in Māori homes.