Keegan, T. T. A. G., & Cunliffe, D. (2014). Young people, technology and the future of te Reo Māori. In R. Higgins, P. Rewi, & V. Olsen-Reeder (Eds.), The Value of the Māori Language: Te Hua o te Reo Māori (Vol. 2, pp. 385–398). Wellington, New Zealand: Huia Publishers.
Abstract
After decades of neglect and, in some instances, suppression, te reo Māori has achieved a degree of recognition and support from the Government and people. Language strategies have been written, schooling is available in both languages, and since 1987 the language has had official status. However, despite demonstrable progress in some areas, it remains a small-minority language. Within New Zealand there are 157,000 speakers of te reo Māori, about 4.1 percent of the population (Statistics New Zealand: Te Tari Tatau, 2007), and the language is classified as 'vulnerable' by UNESCO (Mosley, 2010). The language continues to face considerable pressure from English, not just because English is a majority national language but because it is an increasingly global language, with a significant presence in culture, science, media and technology. This chapter considers the relationships between young people, technology and te reo Māori. It argues that technology is an important domain of use for te reo Māori, particularly the continued use of the language by young people.
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