A controversial project that could see bilingual signs being put up across Tauranga is gaining momentum.
The Te Reo Tauranga project is taking shape with the materialisation of five Maori bilingual plaques for the city.
The project, the brainchild of Pat Spellman, was meant to be in place for Maori Language Week earlier this year but progression slowed after lack of funding.
However, Mr Spellman confirmed to the Bay of Plenty Times he had been able to commission funding for some parts of the project to go ahead.
"Two passionate members of the Tauranga community have come forward to make generous donations to help pay for the project," he said.
Mr Spellman said they were halfway through getting the signs up.
"It's not just nailing a sign to a piece of wood, we actually need to ensure a plan they will be put up the right way and make sure we have enough money in the bank that if something happens to them we can fix them.
"If it's Maori land we are putting them on we have to make sure they are blessed by local iwi and the words and the translations we use are correct and are in the right dialect."
He said the signs also needed to be consistent with the Maori Language Commission and what it was doing with the Maori language.
Mr Spellman said he had realised the plaques were the tip of the iceberg concerning what he wanted to do with the Maori language in Tauranga.
"The community deserves more and so does te reo Maori. We want to make a measurable difference, rather than just chuck some signs up, cross our fingers and hope for the best.
"I am trying to build up the language. People are automatically thinking all we are trying to do is get bilingual signage out there. Really all we are trying to do is lift the measurable percentage of people who can identify te reo Maori as one of our official languages.
Mr Spellman said the five existing plaques had not yet been put up because he was still working with various organisations to ensure the success of the project.
Fundraising for the project would continue and would include a benefit concert with locals musicians in November.
By the numbers
• More than 20 per cent of Maori can hold a conversation in te reo.
• In 2013, 125,352 Maori (21.3 per cent) could hold a conversation about many everyday things in te reo.
• Of the Maori who could hold a conversation in te reo Maori in 2013:
• 26.3 per cent were aged under 15 years.
• 23.3 per cent were aged 15 to 29 years.
• 40.6 per cent were aged 30 to 64 years.
• 9.8 per cent were aged 65 years and over.