Guide to make Maori language more visible

Te Ururoa Flavell backs the new guides. PHOTO/FILE

The Government has released a new guide to put the Maori language in the public eye, backed by Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

Mr Flavell, who is also the Maori Development Minister, said te reo Maori needed to be normalised and generating more bilingual signage in public places was one way of achieving that.

"We want to see bilingual signage in all government and local government offices throughout the country, so I'm encouraging leaders within that sector to embrace this guide and start their te reo Maori journey.

"Every day, the public visit their offices so they have the eyes and ears of many on them."

The Maori-English Bilingual Signage Guide was informed by the experiences of countries, including Ireland, where bilingual signage is also part of language revitalisation to encourage good practice.

Through the new Maori Language Act and the development of the Maihi Karauna, the Government is committed to enhancing the support for te reo Maori revitalisation by all government agencies as a normal part of the way they do business, Mr Flavell said.

"One way in which we will achieve this is to ensure te reo Maori is more visible to the communities we work in."