Māori Language and Culture

Promoting and preserving Māori language and culture enhances our cultural identity and heritage, and our economic and social potential.

Last updated: Thursday, 16 July 2026 | Rāpare, 16 Hōngongoi, 2026

Māori language and culture are areas of specific importance to whānau, hapū, Iwi and Māori; and our Minister has outlined a vision of continued, targeted, revitalisation of the Māori language and culture. 

By supporting and enabling the preservation, protection and advancement of Māori language and culture, we can further unlock the economic and social potential of te ao Māori. This will enhance the cultural identity and heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole.

Strategic outcome we want to achieve 

Māori language and culture is preserved, promoted and advanced. 

What difference will we make?

  • Māori language is increasingly spoken
  • Māori culture is visible and celebrated
  • Mātauranga Māori and its expression is recognized

What do we want to do?

  • Fund and monitor statutory entities to promote and uplift both te reo Māori and the Māori culture.
  • Lead te reo Māori revitalisation policy within the context of Te Whare o te reo Mauriora and Maihi Karauna to enable te reo Māori to be a thriving everyday language.
  • Apply te ao Māori perspectives and Te Tautuhi ō Rongo to our own work, to ensure te reo me ngā tikanga Māori is included in government policy development and service design where applicable. 
  • Develop domestic frameworks for recognition, including:
    • reflecting international frameworks for traditional intellectual property  
    • as a means to enable further cultural and economic growth.