Family language policy and Tagalog maintenance in a mixed-heritage family in Aotearoa : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Applied Linguistics at Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

The 2023 New Zealand Census shows a growing presence of Filipinos, particularly in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) region. However, the maintenance of Tagalog, one of the Philippines’ heritage languages, remains underexplored, especially in mixed-heritage households where intergenerational transmission can be even more challenging. This study addresses the gap in this area of research by investigating how a Filipino and a Pākehā couple in Aotearoa New Zealand navigate family language policy (FLP) to promote Tagalog maintenance within their multilingual household. Drawing on narrative data from semi-structured interviews, the study examines parental beliefs, aspirations, and collaborative efforts toward heritage language transmission. The study highlights the importance of affective, relational, and cultural values, alongside the influence of external and contextual environments of the family, in shaping their FLP. Moreover, it illustrates how broader multilingual realities are incorporated into everyday family language practices. By centring the often overlooked perspectives of a Filipino mother and a non-heritage father, this study contributes to expanding FLP research in Aotearoa’s diverse and multilingual landscape.