Te Ao Māori

Book highlights need to cherish Te Reo

19:10 pm on 16 June 2014

A book about the importance of cherishing the Maori language has been launched.

The authors of the book hope it generates discussion for both Maori and non-Maori alike to adopt the language and look at the positive potential it can have for the country.

One of the editor's of the book, Associate Professor Poia Rewi, said the books also aimed to make more people aware of the importance of the language.

The value of the language was the criteria that needed to be addressed rather than developing a Te Reo strategy, he said.

Thirty people contributed to the book, including people working in the kohanga reo movement and Maori media organisations.

Prof Rewi said policy makers and politicians also offered their opinion about the future direction of Te Reo.