Key findings from this section

• The ability of people to develop their Māori language skills depends in part on opportunities to access te reo. The HML 2006 Survey gathered information on Māori-medium radio and television, which shows that access rates and listening rates are high. Nearly all Māori adults have access to Māori radio and television.
• Fifteen percent of Māori adults are learning te reo to some degree. This is a high percentage, and reflects the positive disposition Māori have towards the language.
• There are around 1,600 Māori children attending te reo based early childhood services.
• Schools in these regions provide for around 4,000 Māori children learning in te reo to some degree. This is 25% of the Māori student population.

Māori immersion play group

In Gisborne, a group of whānau is creating its own space for language learning and use for preschool aged tamariki. Since August 2007, a Māori immersion play group has been operating, led by whānau who are seeking an education option that combines immersion Māori and a wide range of education philosophies. The whānau aim to apply for funding under the Ministry of Education and Puna Reo status. For now however, raising critical awareness amongst the Gisborne community and building a group of committed whānau to feed a Puna Reo is the main focus.