Learn te reo, 'it's our X-factor'

Te reo is withering and it is up to both the public and government to revive it, The Māori Language Commission says.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui said the new Māori Language Act would help it to promote te reo across government agencies.

But he said it was the Ministry of Education's responsibility to fund te reo programmes in schools.

Mr Apanui told Morning Report if the language died out in New Zealand, it would be gone forever.

He said te reo was a beautiful language and he encouraged all Māori and non-Māori to learn it.

"Learn te reo Māori, it's our language, it's everybody in New Zealand's language.

"Go and learn it, be part of the movement, be part of revitalising the language. It's a wonderful thing to do and I encourage everybody... Māori, non-Māori, new immigrants, learn te reo Māori , it's a beautiful language and it's our X-factor."

Mr Apanui said if te reo died out in New Zealand, it would be gone forever.