Te Reo Maori A Schoolteacher's Viewpoint

The question of Maori Language is particularly important in areas and schools with a high percentage of Maori pupils. In the first half of this century schools had a way of dealing with Maori speaking children. They were caned or strapped for speaking Maori, even in the playground.

The education bulletin The Education of Maori Pupils has this attitude, which is nothing less than a whitewash for assimilationist policies, which attempt to force Maoris to become brown skinned Pakehas and to forego their language.

From parents and elders we know that these practices were widespread. Today they continue in subtler forms and many teachers believe that a knowledge of Maori hampers a pupil's English. Linguistically this is not correct. In fact a child under the age of twelve learns two languages as easily as one. Pupils who are competent in Maori almost always do better in English and all other subjects as well.

Those schools like Hillary College at Otara in Auckland which offer Maori language courses and have Maori clubs, find that the overall achievements of Maori pupils has soared. Learning Maori does not hamper development.

The learning of Maori by Maori and Pakeha can do nothing but benefit all New Zealanders.

Awhinatia. Akona te reo Maori

— John McCaffery