Waiariki MP and former TV presenter Tamati Coffey. Photo: Getty ImagesA Labour MP is considering a members’ bill to increase te reo Maori on mainstream programmes that get New Zealand On Air funding to a set target of about 10-20%. Waiariki MP and former broadcaster Tamati Coffey has posted about the idea on his official Facebook page, asking for feedback. The funding agency’s website says it encourages the use of te reo Maori in mainstream content “as appropriate, to normalise the language as an official language of New Zealand”. Te Mangai Paho, part of the Ministry of Maori Development, promotes Maori language and culture by funding broadcasting and production.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 30, 2017 04:18 UTC