The Minister for Maori Development says passing the Te Reo Maori Bill is a key priority and hopes it will become law before the end of next year.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo: RNZ
The legislation would create a new body called Te Matawai that would take the lead in promoting the Maori language, as well as absorbing the role of Maori Television's Electoral College.
Te Ururoa Flavell said the bill still needed some tweaking, particularly around how Te Matawai executives are appointed and he was setting up a small advisory group to help him review submissions from the select committee in order to advance the bill.
Mr Flavell said he was committed to getting it passed as soon as possible in order to arrest the decline in the number of Te Reo speakers.
The bill provided a mechanism to look at funding options and policy changes, and place what resources are available in the hands of iwi, he said.