Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Heritage New Zealand will now work together to promote and revitalise te reo Māori.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui. Photo: Supplied
The two organisations signed an agreement today to enhance te reo Māori through New Zealand's heritage.
This includes increased use of te reo Māori in commentaries and signage at Heritage New Zealand sites to improve visitors' experiences.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui said the use of the Māori language alongside our heritage allowed for additional cultural perspectives.
"As well as bringing us in contact with the actions of the first people in Aotearoa in their naming, story-telling and settling of the land and the harvesting and management of its resources.
Māori Heritage Council chairman Sir John Clarke said the agreement fit within the Māori Heritage Council's vision for Māori heritage - which is contained in the publication Tapuwae.
"Māori heritage gives meaning and prestige to the history, traditions, culture and identity of whānau, hapū and iwi.
"They include sacred and historic sites, ancestral places, tribal landmarks, cultural landscapes and built heritage features.
Heritage New Zealand currently manages 43 nationally significant heritage properties.
It also provides advice to both central and local government, property owners including iwi, hapū and whānau, and others on identifying, protecting and promoting New Zealand's heritage sites.