Back to one of the biggest issues of the day.
The Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell,
has received praise from language experts around the country
for his efforts to get the bill passed.
Praise came to him
at the Ngati Kahungunu Reo Symposium today.
Let's cross to Kereama Wright who is on the ground there.
Maori language experts from all around the country
have gathered here to discuss the Ngati Kahungunu dialect.
Leon Blake and Pania Papa are among the attendees.
Both of them have taken an in depth look
at the brand new Maori language bill.
A speech about the Maori language delivered in excitement
as the Maori language reform bill is about to become law.
The bill come ashore, metaphorically speaking.
It's been a long time coming for it to be passed by Parliament.
I'd like to acknowledge the Minister.
Leon and Pania have had their minds focused on the bill.
They have carefully scrutinized
Kiwa Hammond's translation of the bill over the last few months.
Five of us were involved in the process.
There were three lawyers, Leon and I.
We carefully discussed what each part of the law means
so that it could be translated correctly.
It was a first to bring lawyers and language experts together.
These two say while it has taken awhile
to get the bill into an acceptable state,
there are a lot of positives.
It's not only the Government who will be involved
in revitalisation efforts.
Iwi will be empowered to do so as well.
Statistics advise around 21% of Maori speak the language.
However, there is very large number who aren't engaged
with the language.
We're here talking about the future of the language.
Who will take it there?
Our mokopuna and their mokopuna.
So if iwi don't come on board now,
it will be too late for their mokopuna.
It's a big challenge for Te Matawai to take on.
The board will have a big task to achieve.
The members will be charged with representing their iwi
when it comes to reviving the language.
The things that pit iwi against iwi such as competing for resources,
all of that needs to be left at the door so to speak.
So will Leon and Pania be looking to be a part of the board?
I will if I am asked to.
What's my part? I don't know.
We will go where we need to be.
If that's Te Matawai, then yes we will.
If it's somewhere among the iwi, then that's where we will go.
To explain further on the details surrounding Te Matawai,
a hui was convened here yesterday to discuss
what it means for the area.
I have with me here now Ngati Kahungunu's Pou Arataki Reo
Tatere McLeod.
Tena koe.
You went to the hui yesterday, how did it go?
It was good.
Furthermore, there were 11 invitations the hui,
seven attended.
What was shared and what was the outcome?
The main outcome of the hui was that Te Tai Rawhiti decided
that there would need to be at least six weeks
to approach communities and to find suitable candidates
to be on Te Matawai, firstly.
Secondly, to find people to be involved in the discussion
as to who should represent Te Tai Rawhiti.
Have any names been mentioned?
Tapunga Nepe's name has been mentioned by the three Gisborne iwi,
Rongowhakaata, Tamanuhiri and Te-Aitanga-a-Mahaki.
Other than him, that's still up in the air.
What about yourself?
If I am picked and my iwi want me to
I would give it quite a lot of thought.
Te Matawai will have a lot to do –
what do you think should be their top priority?
Te Matawai's greatest task will be to overcome the tribal divisions
and to get everyone working together with saving the language everywhere.
Thank you for your time, Tatere McLeod.
Scotty, no doubt that's the kind of process iwi will be following
around the country.
The Minister says Te Matawai will be established
before the end of this year.
Thank you Kereama Wright.