Universities asked to play major role in national language plan

New Zealand’s government has launched a language strategy that aims to create a bilingual country, with more than a million people speaking te reo Māori, by 2040.

The government wants universities to play a major role in providing access to Māori language classes for adults, and to help train teachers who can conduct bilingual classes for primary and secondary students.

There are also plans to encourage employers to “offer te reo Māori education and reward employees who excel”.