Although it is meant to be reviewed every three years, it has been almost nine years since the policy was refreshed.
Under the five-page draft policy, the council will be obligated to provide opportunities for staff, elected members and appointed members to “learn, understand and speak te reo Māori”.
“South Wairarapa District Council acknowledges te reo me ōna tikanga Māori [the language and its cultural practices] and, specifically, te reo Māori as an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand and will promote its use within the organisation and the wider community.”
Under the draft policy, the council would also ensure Māori cultural values, protocols and practices were respected and incorporated into council activities, events and decision-making processes.
The council would seek advice and direction from the appropriate persons on correct place names for use in its documents.
The draft policy will be discussed at tonight’s Māori Standing Committee (MSC) meeting.
If the committee endorses the document, it will be presented for adoption at the Strategy Working Committee meeting on February 14.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.