New software for speakers of Maori

The growing number of Maori language speakers will soon get a boost to their computing needs with the launch of te reo versions of Microsoft Windows and Office.

A Maori version of the world's leading computer operating system and home and office software package will be launched at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education in Hamilton next week.

The enhancement, a development between the Maori Language Commission and the software giant, will allow the download of a Maori language interface which will convert existing Windows and Office versions to te reo.

The Office version is available on Tuesday and the Windows software from December 9.

The Language Interface Packs were developed as part of the Microsoft Maori Linguistic Partnership Project, launched in April last year to cater for the growing number of Maori language speakers in New Zealand.

About 130,000 adults speak Maori, with about 326,000 students enrolled in Maori immersion or learning te reo.

The initiative is part of a global linguistic partnership project. Maori added to other international indigenous languages incorporated into the leading software packages including Ireland, Spain and France.