Māori have filed an urgent claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, alleging a number of Government policies are in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.
It's being led by the Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust, an iwi entity based in Tauranga.
The claim alleges the Government has breached Article 2 of the Treaty by failing to protect the taonga, or treasure, of te reo Māori and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
It also said the Government has breached Article 1 of the Bill of Rights 1688 by "purporting to suspend the operation of the principles of Te Tiriti".
The Settlement Trust refers to the Government's commitment to ensure public sector departments have their primary name in English and communicate primarily in English.
Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement chairperson Charlie Tawhiao has written an affidavit to support the claim.
"Te reo Māori is the core of our culture and therefore it defines our very identity. This is why we have fought so hard to save te reo Māori from extinction. Without te reo Māori we lose all connection to our history, our understanding of the universe and our ability to be Māori," he said.
"Our own government is now implementing policy and practices to remove and reduce the recognition and mana of te reo Māori across the public service and in Aotearoa as a whole."
The Tribunal will now consider whether it hears the claim under urgency, but this only occurs in exceptional circumstances.
1News understands the Tribunal has received the application.
It may make a decision before the end of the year.
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