He whānau reo Māori: Me pēwhea rā? A literature review prepared for Te Mātāwai

Abstract

This review of literature provides an a summary of some of the issues impacting on whānau who are choosing to raise their tamariki in te reo Māori. The review focuses on literature that was produced from approximately 2004, and is directly focused on the experiences of Māori who attempting to include te reo Māori as their main language of the home. This report has been sectioned into three main parts, including factors relevant to parents and caregiver, factors relevant to children, and some general themes that might be relevant for whānau. Within the section related to mātua, the literature demonstrates that if te reo Māori is to be a language of intergenerational transmission, parents (and adults within the household) must be committed to Māori language acquisition and use, and persistent in reinstating that language is to be used as the main language of the home. Findings also indicate that parents have lower levels of Māori language use prior to the birth of a child. Parents who are attempting to raise Māori speaking children may struggle if they themselves have a limited grasp of te reo. Challenges arise after children are born, as parents report having less time and resources to attend classes. Strategies need to be adapted to ensure that parents are supported to attain te reo prior to the arrival of the child. However, as the child provides motivation and a domain for use, it is not surprising that te reo use increases in homes with children