Mr Flavell said he would also appoint a small advisory panel of about six to eight people with positive ideas on enhancing aspects of the bill.
"They will gather, in a short space of time, submissions, and also consult to try to iron out some of the aspects of the implementation which have been publicly criticised."
Mr Flavell said he supported the principle of the legislation that iwi and Maori should lead the revitalisation of te reo Maori but the bill needed refining.
"We must have whanau, hapu and iwi at the helm if we are to hear and see our language thriving again."
He would focus on working constructively with those who would like to see some changes to the implementation of Te Matawai and consolidate a pathway forward.
Mr Flavell said the last month had provided an opportunity to take stock of the bill's progress and it was likely some refinement was necessary. He was pleased the Maori affairs select committee had extended the public submission period for the bill to December 5, allowing more people with an interest in te reo Maori to provide additional feedback.
The Maori affairs select committee will report back to Parliament in March.
Mr Flavell said the small advisory group would help to review submissions and the advancement of the bill. He was committed to ensuring the bill was passed in this parliamentary term. The bill would be "a serious focus of his energy" and personal commitment.
For more information on the Maori Language Strategy: www.tpk.govt.nz/en/a-matou-mohiotanga/language.
