Response to a request for information
19 May 2023
Adam Irish
Ref: OIA 2022-23-005
Kia ora Adam
Official information request about funding provided to preserve the
southern Māori (Kāi Tahu) dialect and the Moriori language
I’m writing in response to your official information request dated 20 April 2023.
1. Any grants or funding provided by the Māori Language Commission to support the
preservation of the Southern Māori (Kāi Tahu) dialect and the Moriori language.
Funding was provided to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Hokotehi Moriori Trust to support the
preservation of the Southern Māori (Kāi Tahu) dialect and the Moriori language from 2014 to
2018.
Organisation
Amount (Inc GST)
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
$729,002
Hokotehi Moriori Trust
$45,700
2. Any reports or evaluations of the effectiveness of this funding and its impact on the
preservation of these languages.
No
reports or evaluations of the effectiveness of this funding and its impact on the
preservation of these languages.
3. Any policies or guidelines developed by the Māori Language Commission
regarding the preservation of endangered Māori languages such as the Southern
Māori (Kāi Tahu) dialect and the Moriori language. We have no records relating to this request.
4. Any future plans or funding initiatives that the Māori Language Commission has
planned or is considering to further support the preservation of these languages.
Our statutory function and responsibilities have changed with the enactment of
Te Ture mō
Te Reo Māori 2016,
Māori Language Act 2016.
Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016 created a partnership for the revitalisation of te reo Māori
between the Crown and iwi and Māori. Te Mātāwai upholds the framework’s Maihi Māori
component; Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori upholds the framework’s Maihi Karauna
component.
The Maihi Māori is developed by and for Māori to lead their own revitalisation efforts. It is
issued and implemented by Te Mātāwai, a representative body of iwi and Māori. Their focus
is on revitalisation within the community.
We have no current plans or funding initiatives relating to Kāi Tahu and Moriori language.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Nāku noa, nā
Ngahiwi Apanui
Chief Executive
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori