Year 11 Te Reo Māori

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As one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s official languages, te reo Māori is useful across a range of careers. Many New Zealand employers want to hire people who have at least some knowledge of te reo Māori. Māori and iwi organisations rely on fluent te reo Māori writers and speakers.

Learning te reo Māori gives you access to te ao Māori (the Māori world) and tiro ā-Māori ki tōna ake ao (the Māori world view), which many employers value.

Working for Māori and iwi organisations:
Māori and iwi organisations represent the interests of Māori and often need employees who can communicate using te reo Māori. These organisations include businesses, government organisations, law offices and Māori land corporations.

Māori organisations include:
Ngāi Tahu, principal southern iwi
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Auckland-based hapū
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Māori Centre of Research Excellence
Te Tumu Paeroa, Māori land trustees
Waikato Tainui, central North Island iwi organisation
Working in health and social services

Hospitals, health care clinics and social service centres all benefit when employees have some knowledge of te reo Māori. Doctors and nurses can provide better treatment for Māori patients if they are familiar with te reo Māori. Social workers and police officers have an advantage if they can communicate in te reo Māori.

Te reo Māori health and services roles include:
Community Karitane
General practitioner
Nursing support and care worker
Police officer
Registered nurse
Working in education

The Government recently launched a $12.2 million program to increase the use of te reo Māori in New Zealand classrooms. The aim is to get teachers and support staff speaking te reo Māori so the language becomes a more natural part of the education system.

Te reo Māori educators teach students at early childhood centres, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Educators also run te reo Māori classes for workers and other people interested in learning the language.

Te reo Māori education roles include:
Early childhood teacher
Kaiwhakaako Māori
Primary school teacher
Private teacher/tutor
Secondary school teacher
Working in communications and information

Communications and information careers increasingly use te reo Māori to appeal to diverse audiences. Te reo Māori use in communications also promotes the cultural heritage of Māori in New Zealand and strengthens our national identity.

Te reo Māori communications and information roles include:
Communications professional
Journalist
Librarian
Media producer
Translator
Working in government

All government organisations have a te reo Māori version of their name as they represent the interests of all our people, including the original Māori iwi of Aotearoa New Zealand. Some government organisations specifically represent the interests of Māori. For example, Māori Television, funded by the Government, broadcasts programmes that promote Māori language and culture.

Te reo Māori government jobs include:
Policy analyst
Elected government representative