Letters: Both NZ languages have mana and deserve recognition

Rotorua's Te Aka Mauri Library and Children's Health Hub. Photo/File

Harry Brasser's letter (April 2) is an affront.

He does not see that he is surrounded by Maori in a Te Arawa stronghold, whose language and customs are rich, deep and authentic. It is an indigenous drawcard that is a magnet for the millions of tourist dollars that flow through the veins of the Rotorua economy paying rents, providing school lunches and putting petrol in cars.

At no stage do the recipients of these benefits regard te reo as being "absurd', te reo identifies who we are. Other than Fenton, the street names that surround the library are uniquely Te Arawa, tupuna names found nowhere else in New Zealand, names that were deliberately chosen by the then town council to reflect the strong Ngati Whakaue whakapapa and Fenton links that the library stands upon.

The library belongs to the people of Rotorua who are fortified in the knowledge that the names are uniquely us. Identity is never "absurd". Finally, bilingual signs are a gesture of respect. Both languages have mana and both deserve recognition. The mana of one is not greater than the other.

Te reo is the language of welcome, borne of the land, the cry of the bellbird and the breezes that stir the lakes. Respect and mana is what strong societies are built upon and is never "absurd".

What is absurd is that in this day and age, Harry Brasser does not realise any of this.

WAIRANGI JONES
Rotorua

So Harry Brasser thinks that having bilingual signage in the Rotorua Library or elsewhere is absurd.

Perhaps I can remind him that as well as the English language there are two other official languages in New Zealand - Maori and Sign Language.

In essence the equality of language is about making sure that the two written languages are treated equally.

In the past the Maori language was forbidden to be spoken in school and because of this and many other reasons the language was almost lost. Fortunately it has been revived again and officially recognised. Let's not forget it was the first language spoken in Aotearoa before the arrival of the English language.

Quoting the Department of Internal Affairs in regards to the dual signage: "It makes sense to have Te Reo Maori on top, that's how we keep the language alive".

Perhaps Mr Brasser could revisit the library and look up the bilingual guidelines of this country.

Most companies and institutions these days are being directed by guidelines based on international literature, and the United Nations best practice principles of bilingual planning guidelines. These policies and guidelines have been adopted by many countries, the content of ours being drawn more particularly from Irish, Welsh and Scottish societies.

Why the negativity?

Embracing te reo Maori and culture in everyday public life helps establish a shared national identity. This is what makes New Zealand unique.

Shouldn't we as New Zealanders, whether Maori or Pakeha, at least know a few words of our other official language?

[ABRIDGED]
ELAINE SHELTON
Rotorua