A very important part of MÄori culture is the MÄori language â Te Reo MÄori. New Zealandâs population as of 2017 is 4.75 million, with a high mixture of indigenous people and immigrants from the Pacific Islands, Asia and Europe who speak their own languages. One man's dream to have a reo MÄori sign language interpreter on marae in the North is closer to becoming a reality. The History of the MÄori Language. The official languages are English, MÄori, and New Zealand Sign Language, with English being very dominant. Thankfully, this is gradually changing due to the work of passionate activists. Source: Stuff.co.nz For generations, Deaf New Zealanders were unable to access Te Reo MÄori through New Zealand Sign Language. MÄori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages in the country, which were declared in 1987 and 2006, respectively. The MÄori language (Te Reo MÄori) belongs to the Austronesian language family, and more specifically, in the Eastern Polynesian languages branch, to the Tahitic languages. The MÄori language (Te Reo MÄori) is cherished by the indigenous people of New Zealand, the MÄori, as a treasure (taonga) and many PÄkehÄ (non-MÄori, non-polynesians) are now trying to learn it.Although it is an official language of New Zealand, along with English and Sign Language, few New Zealanders (and only a minority of MÄori) can conduct a conversation in the Maori language. Eddie Hokianga (NgÄti Hine, NgÄti Kahungunu) took action within his own rohe, Te Tai Tokerau, to establish a centre that aims to have MÄori sign language interpreters on ⦠Stephanie Awheto signs 'kia ora'. 4500+ multimedia, multilingual dictionary entries. Spoken by the MÄori people, the indigenous population of New Zealand, where it is coofficial alongside English and New Zealand Sign Language, it counts about 148,000 speakers. Then in 2006, it took one further step to embrace diversity by adopting Sign Language as an official language as well. We are just revamping our website after a number of years, so bear with us as we recreate and reload content. New Zealandâs national anthem is usually sung in both MÄori and English. A lot of government websites are presented in both MÄori and English. Welcome to MÄori Language.net. Study the basics of the MÄori Language, through online video movie lessons. Cook Islands MÄori is closely related to New Zealand MÄori, but is a distinct language in its own right. Te Reo is an official language in New Zealand, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language. Sign language user Eric Matthews said there have been lots of experiences when he's gone to his local marae and found it "really tough". While there have been nationwide efforts to revive Te Reo MÄori, a ⦠Originally, Te Reo MÄori was the only language spoken in the country by its native people. 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