Maori Language Commission CEO Ngahiwi Apanui wants to move away from the word compulsory when discussing Te Reo Maori in schools.
Mr Apanui told TVNZ 1’s Breakfast programme that he wanted people to start talking about the revitalisation of the language instead.
"Move away from the word, compulsory, which sounds like people having something jammed down their throat to talking about revitalisation," he said.
"(It) is about all New Zealanders being able to participate and needing to participate in returning Te Reo Maori to its rightful place as a normal everyday language."
Mr Apanui said the government had a responsibility to make the language available for all Kiwis under the Maori Language Act 2016.
He agreed with Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who said the lack of Te Reo teachers remained an issue.
"He has a point, the infrastructure has to be put in place and I think the Ministry of Education is moving to do that and will start to make some significant gains I think, we'll be in there supporting them as much as we can," he said.
Mr Apanui said Te Reo had gained momentum in recent years.
"I think there has been a sea change in the last two towards Te Reo Maori as people have begun to realise that not only are there benefits of bilingualism but there’s also that shared identity that we as all New Zealanders need to grow."
SHARE ME