What Would it Take to Successfully Introduce Compulsory Te Reo Māori in all Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand? A future focused policy analysis

Abstract

While considerable ground has been made in education policy promoting te reo Māori, no government has yet been willing to implement this as a requirement for all schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this article I undertake a ‘future-focused’ policy analysis to consider what it might take to implement this by drawing on recent research involving key advocates and stakeholders. I propose a ‘radical incrementalism’ approach that increasingly normalises and values te reo Māori across all sectors of society and that is supported by the resourcing of teachers and teachers’ college institutions and their leadership.