Māori, also known as te reo Māori, is the language of the Māori people, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Here are some key points about the Māori language:

1. Classification:

   • Māori is a member of the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian language family. It is closely related to other Polynesian languages spoken in the Pacific region.

2. Geographic Distribution:

   • Māori is primarily spoken in New Zealand. It has official language status alongside English, reflecting the country’s commitment to recognising and preserving the language and culture of the indigenous Māori people.

3. Script:

   • Māori is written using the Latin alphabet with a standardised orthography. The writing system has macrons (long vowels) to indicate pronunciation nuances, and it includes a total of 10 vowel sounds.

4. Cultural Significance:

   • Māori is integral to the cultural identity of the Māori people. It is used in various cultural expressions, including traditional waiata (songs), haka (war dances), and whaikōrero (speeches).

5. Multilingualism:

   • Many Māori individuals are multilingual, with proficiency in both Māori and English. Efforts have been made to promote bilingualism, especially in educational settings.

6. Educational Role:

   • Māori is taught in schools as part of the New Zealand curriculum, and there are immersion programmes where subjects are taught in Māori. Language revitalization efforts include promoting Māori language education at all levels.

7. Media and Literature:

   • Mori is used in various media, including radio, television, and newspapers. There is a growing body of Māori literature, encompassing both traditional oral narratives and contemporary written works.