Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Maori was to allocate just over $2.4 million of Ma Te Reo funding to 85 applicants, who wanted to help keep the language alive within their community, hapu, whanau or iwi.
The money was meant to be given out over a 10-year period, but that time had lapsed.
Acting chief executive at the Commission, Poia Rewi, said the former Maori Affairs Minister, Dr Pita Sharples, decided the project should carry on.
He believed that was partly motivated by amending legislation around the Maori Language especially considering the findings of a report that suggested that Te Reo revitalisation should be directed in the home.