Support for the compulsory teaching of te reo Maori in schools has ramped up among younger New Zealanders and women, a Research New Zealand survey shows.
However, the "challenge" to find enough qualified teachers and classes would be substantial, said Pirihira Haira, principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Wairarapa.
The survey results, released Thursday, showed support for the move was higher among women with 42 per cent in favour, compared with 35 per cent of men in favour.
The telephone survey of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted between August 4-12 and showed answers of respondents aged between 15 and 34 were split evenly.
Those most opposed to compulsory te reo Maori in schools were aged over 55 years, with 76 per cent not in favour.
Ms Haira described the survey results as "positive" and believed all New Zealanders needed a rudimentary grasp of basic words and phrases.
"I am in favour of everybody knowing some Maori to some degree. To make it compulsory you need speakers who are experienced in the language and qualified to teach. This is already a challenge.
"It would depend on the response from teachers' college and Ministry of Education resourcing."
Ms Haira said there were seven teachers fluent in te reo Maori working at the full-immersion Masterton school.
The Maori language became one of the three official languages in New Zealand in 1987.
Research New Zealand director Emanuel Kalafatelis said greatest support for the move was among Maori and Pacific Island respondents at 71 per cent, compared with 32 per cent among New Zealand Europeans.
Women and youth back te reo push, study shows
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