Maintaining Interest in English Medium Secondary School Maori Language Programmes for Students in Years 11 to 13

Abstract

Aotearoa, New Zealand has long been proclaimed as an impressive example of how to resurrect an indigenous language from near extinction into a vibrant everyday conversational language of value. Recent research would suggest otherwise. After approximately thirty years of having enjoyed a resurgence te reo Māori (the Māori language) is once again in decline. Statistics show that although Aotearoa, New Zealand has a world renowned indigenous education model, in the order of 85 percent of Māori students are enrolled in English medium secondary schools. It is therefore imperative that te reo Māori programmes in English medium secondary schools are effective at retaining high numbers of students willing to learn te reo Māori. Historically these programmes have tended to suffer from elevated rates of attrition. This article outlines the findings of research conducted to determine the factors which encourage continued student participation in senior te reo Māori (Māori language) programmes in English medium secondary schools in Waitaha, Canterbury. While the research itself has a very narrow focus the findings have broad implications across all teaching areas and also internationally.