Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi is strongly supporting Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples' plans to overhaul the Maori language sector.
The Government now spends about $220 million annually supporting Maori language programmes and services, but last year's census found the proportion of the Maori population using their native language had dropped from 24 per cent in 2006 to 21 per cent now.
Dr Sharples has been updating the Maori Language Strategy drawn up in 2003 and is now refining a draft for a new strategy which will go through the Cabinet process.
The new strategy contains a proposal to establish an iwi entity called Te Matawai to assume ownership and management of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission) and Te Mangai Paoho (the Maori broadcasting agency).
Ngapuhi runanga chairman Raniera (Sonny) Tau said iwi were more than ready, willing and able to step up to this important challenge.