Abstract:
Although there is extensive literature available on the topic of Language Planning and Policy (LPP), the questions being asked here are firstly focused on the Aotearoa New Zealand context, and secondly, on longstanding debates and significant ‘language problems’ within this context. The review is situated within the wider context of language rights in Aotearoa New Zealand and an agentic re-framing of these ‘language problems’ using Spolsky’s (2018b) term, language management.
A prominent language challenge asks whether Māori language revitalisation policy should focus on Māori or should it be extended to include Pākehā? Logistically, te reo Māori needs to become a language for all New Zealanders to thrive, and research has found that non-Māori involvement could have a positive impact on revitalisation initiatives (Albury, 2016, 2017, 2018, Albury & Carter, 2018; De Bres, 2008a; 2011; Hardman, 2018; Hepi, 2008; Higgins & Rewi, 2014; Ngaha, 2011). Alternatively, some of Ngaha’s (2011) participants believe that if te reo Māori becomes a language for all the losses will be too significant.
