A multilingual Aotearoa NZ makes for a strong, inclusive country with more
flexibility in thinking and a better ear for listening.

Languages Alliance Aotearoa NZ

Our vision is for a multilingual Aotearoa NZ that benefits socially, culturally and economically from an increasing number of New Zealanders speaking more than one language.

The Languages Alliance Aotearoa NZ is an unaffiliated working group drawing on expertise and interest in the status and use of languages in Aotearoa NZ — and in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in particular. The group is convened by Te Hononga Akoranga COMET and includes members from a wide range of language-related organisations.

LATEST PUBLICATION #

We are pleased to share our latest report, Who is out there? Mapping Language organisations in Aotearoa. You can download the report in soft copy for free here.

You can also order a hard copy (NZ$35 + GST and postage / handling) by emailing admin@cometauckland.org.nz

The report is the result of four years of work by a team of mostly volunteers. The work included an extensive internet search, an online survey and consultation to gain a picture of the language sector in Aotearoa NZ. This research aimed to understand:

the size and breadth of Aotearoa NZ's language sector
how accessible the language services are in Aotearoa NZ
how language services in Aotearoa NZ are supported

We hope what we've found will help people working in the language sector feel less alone as well as provide them with information to support their work.

The report will also be useful for anyone who makes decisions about education, health, social services and the many other areas of life where language diversity is relevant.

WE ARE CALLING FOR: #

Te reo Māori becoming part of the core curriculum from Year 1.
Every child learning their heritage language or a community language of their choice.
Recognition of Pasifika languages.
Development of a national languages policy.

WHY A NATIONAL LANGUAGES POLICY? #

Aotearoa NZ’s increasing language diversity is a strength for social cohesion, identity, trade, tourism, educational achievement and intercultural understanding.

A policy would provide a platform to support language learning, maintenance and celebration. We want to harness the benefits of a multilingual Aotearoa NZ.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE #

Developing Ngā Reo o Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Languages Strategy, which was launched in November 2015 with the goal that, by 2040, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland enjoys the full economic, social and cultural benefits of our many living languages.

Co-hosting a visit in August 2017 by Professor Joseph Lo Bianco in partnership with the Royal Society, AUT and Victoria University. Professor Lo Bianco spoke at three public meetings and met with senior officials from a range of government departments to outline the value of a national languages policy and to advise on a process towards developing such a policy.

Preparing a Briefing to the Incoming Ministers on language issues in Aotearoa in November 2017. The briefing was sent to five ministers with responsibilities closely related to language diversity, along with copies being provided to a further 20 ministers and to key national organisations working in the language space.

Publishing a Strategy for Languages in Education in August 2018, which outlined the need for a planned approach to language provision, including teacher workforce development, to enable all children in Aotearoa NZ to learn te reo Māori from Year 1 as of right, to be supported to maintain and use their heritage language and/or to learn another language of their choice.