Kia haruru a Aotearoa whānui i tō tātou reo taketake

All New Zealand will resonate with our Indigenous language


We exist to promote te reo

The Māori Language Commission was set up under the Māori Language Act 1987 and continued under Te Ture Reo Māori 2016 to promote the use of Māori as a living language and as an ordinary means of communication.

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What we do

  • Coordinate the implementation of the Crown's Māori Language Strategy, Maihi Karauna
  • Promote, celebrate and encourage more people to learn and speak te reo Māori through regular campaigns, activities and helpful resources
  • Support organisations to develop and evaluate their own language plans
  • Carry out and commission research to support te reo revitalisation
  • Examine and register translators and interpreters
  • Test proficiency levels
  • Ensure te reo Māori remains a living language by developing new words so that it is used effectively in a changing world
  • Report to the Minister for Māori Development on matters relating to the Māori language.

Kei te kimi āwhina koe?

Can we help you?

Ki te tautoko i te iwi nui tonu kia ora ai te reo Māori, hei reo kōrero, hei reo tupu

Promote te reo Māori as an ordinary means of communication and a living language

Corporate documents

Because we are publicly funded, we are required to report to Parliament and our stakeholders on our performance against the SOI and SPE each year in our Annual Report. The report gives us the opportunity to tell the stories of what we do to support the Māori language.

Our annual reporting period begins on 1 July each year, ending the following 30 June.


The Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) is an annual document which was introduced in 2014. It includes the detailed budget forecasts and performance measures and targets we intend to achieve over the coming year.

The SPE is published on our website before the start of each financial year (1 July) and must be tabled in Parliament no later than with our Annual Report.


The Statement of Intent (SOI) describes the strategic objectives we intend to achieve or contribute to and how we will go about assessing our performance.

The SOI is produced at least every three years and covers a four year rolling period and is tabled in Parliament. (Prior to 2014 it was produced annually and covered a three year rolling period.)

If you would like a printed copy, please contact our office.


This Implementation Plan details contributions by Te Papa Kōrero agencies (1.1) to the Maihi Karauna in 2021/22.

These agencies play key roles in leading and co-ordinating the implementation of the Maihi Karauna and working with Te Mātāwai to ensure alignment with the Maihi Māori.

From 2021/22 and beyond contributions from other Government organisations will be added as they register their language plan with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.

The Maihi Karauna Strategy aims to create the conditions for te reo Māori to thrive in Āotearoa, through three key elements: Āotearoatanga (Nationhood), Mātauranga (Knowledge and Skills) and Hononga (Engagement).


After every general election or change of responsible minister, we prepare a briefing to the incoming minister. This document advises the minister on what we feel the major issues are that need to be addressed, what key streams of work we are focusing on and what decisions the minister needs to make as a priority.


Te Pūrongo ā-Tau O Te Maihi Karauna (Māori)

Te Pūrongo ā-Tau O Te Maihi Karauna (English)

Kia Toipoto is an initiative across the Government sector, lead by Te Kawa Mataaho (Public Service Commission) which aims to close pay gaps between gender and ethnic groups within government organisations. Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori is committed to implementing and achieving pay equity for all of our kaimahi (staff). The document below outlines what our gaps are and our action plan to close them.


Kia Toipoto Action Plan (Māori)

(download icon)2021/24

Kia Toipoto Action Plan (English)

(download icon)2021/24

(download icon)2022/23 Review

Ō mātou kōrero

Our story

Where we come from

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Ko wai mātou

Our people

Our board, leadership and teams

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