New research on Te Reo Rangatira shows a strong connection between the speakers of the language and participation in the culture and whanau.
It is the second release of data from the first-ever survey on Maori well-being by Statistics New Zealand called Te Kupenga.
The survey provides insight on Maori health and happiness and has a strong focus on tikanga, or culture.
This latest release of information titled Ka Maro Te Aho Tapu, Ka Tau Te Korowai shows that half of Maori who have been enrolled in kohanga reo and kura kaupapa can speak te reo well or very well.
Te reo speakers with children in the home were also twice as likely to speak the language.
Statistics New Zealand said there is also a strong link between te reo ability and participation in Maori culture, with 62 percent of those who knew their pepeha, or tribal identity, using te reo at home.
The data would add huge value to any future attempts to revitalise the Maori language, it said.