Te Reo Māori Policy and Principles

All members of the University.

To support the revitalisation of the Māori language by providing a framework for the use of Te Reo Māori within the entirety of the University.

Te Reo Māori is the indigenous language of Aotearoa/New Zealand and one of three national languages in statute. It requires special measures to ensure its survival as a language used in a wide range of domains and contexts.

The Auckland region has the largest concentration of people who identify as Māori and the University of Auckland Strategic Plan 2013-2020 recognises “a special relationship with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi”. Objective 11 of the Plan states that, “Promoting Māori presence and participation in all aspects of University life…..is a particular focus for this strategic Plan”.

The University has the responsibility to take a lead role within the Auckland region in the revitalisation and regeneration of Te Reo Māori. The use of Te Reo Māori will reinforce the University as an institution that values Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

1. The University endorses the use of Te Reo Māori by staff members and students in the range of practices and contexts within the University based upon the following principles:

• The University recognises that Te Reo Māori competency supports its relationships with Tangata whenua
• The University promotes and encourages Tikanga Māori
  Competence in Te Reo Māori is recognised as a valued skill
• The University ensures Kaitiaki status with regards to Te Reo Māori. Te Reo Māori used in and by the University is of a consistently high standard
• The University ensures that there are provisions, including learning support, for staff and students to study Te Reo Māori and to study in Te Reo Māori at undergraduate and postgraduate levels through internal and extramural modes
• The University has procedures for assessing course work submitted in Te Reo and ensuring competent staff are available for this assessment. This reflects Te Ao Māori (see Procedures for Assessing Te Reo Māori in Coursework and Examinations – previously “Te Reo Māori Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy)
• The University promotes Te Reo Māori in daily life and the ongoing running of the institution so that there is a demonstration of our commitment to Te Reo Māori. This includes branding, communications, titles, and technical support

Te Mātanga Reo (Māori Language Advisory Group subcommittee of the Rūnanga) advises on the appropriate use of Te Reo Māori within the University to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted by faculties, schools, departments, service divisions and campuses. This group is responsible to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori).

The University is a national contributor to policies and programmes leading to the retention, transmission, and development of Te Reo Māori.

The following definitions apply to this document:

Kaitiaki - guardian

Member - any staff, student, contractor or visitor to the University

Tangata whenua – ‘people of the land’, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand

Taonga - treasure

Te Ao Māori - Māori world view

Te Reo Māori - Māori language

Te Tiriti o Waitangi - the Treaty of Waitangi written in Māori

Te Mātanga Reo - a Māori language advisory group that is a subcommittee of the Runanga and will advise on the appropriate usage of Te Reo Māori within the University.

Tikanga Māori - Māori culture and protocol

University - the University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries

Rūnanga - the committee that advises the University Council on:

• our aspirations to partner with Māori and support Māori development
• progress and achievements of our strategic objectives for Māori
• academic matters that are directly relevant to Māori curriculum content, delivery and research
• It also advises University management on operational matters relevant to the delivery on strategic objectives for Māori.

Include the following:

• Education Act 1989
• Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Act 2002
• Māori Language Act 1987
• State Sector Act 1988 (section 77A)
• Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016 | Māori Language Act 2016
• Intellectual Property Created by Staff and Students Policy
• Te Reo Māori Guidelines (in development)
• Te Reo Māori in Teaching Learning and Assessment Policy
• Revitalising Te Reo Māori
• University of Auckland Strategic Plan 2013-2020

Owner: Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori
Content manager: Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori
Approved by: Chancellor
Date approved: 18 June 2018
Review date: 18 June 2023