All immigrants should be required to learn some maori on arrival?

On average, everyone disagrees with significant nonconsensus between 191 voters.

Reasons To Disagree

This i disagree with, the Maori language is not used in public as a majority. why learn a language you dont need? Most Maori who speak the Maori language also know how to speak english so whats the point?

Contrary to belief, New Zealand only has two OFFICIAL national languages, Maori and Sign Language for the Deaf. If we are to agree that immigrants should be required to be able to converse in one of these perhaps English would be the "dead language". To consider Maori a dead language requires huge arrogance and small mindedness. My opinion: immigrants should not have any language forced upon them, they have to live with the cultural barrier, not you; and if an employer wishes to give them a job in which they have to converse with the general public, and they are unable to, blame the employer. We have no right to tell people what language to speak.

Like Latin, the Maori language has no real significance - both are history. Immigrants need to have a working knowledge of, and an ambition to become proficient with, our (and the world's) leading language - English.

It is rediculus to have a language forced upon someone, especially when only a minority uses the language.

Compulsion is not suitable....overkill...so they only need to know Maori not even English?

why ????

Only a small pinch of people in the country speak Maori, maybe when I learn to speak Maori i'll expect others to

I feel all imigrants should learn more about our laws rules and regulations.

Ridiculous.

If you went to Australia, should they learn Aboriginese language? Come on Maori, you again racism, but please do not be too fanatical & nationalistic about your own culture. Be normal and respect other culture too!

Its ridiculous. People have freedom. If they are interested they will learn by themselves.

no, just have it in the schools, its nice

Reasons To Agree

More so, they should learn about the Treaty, after all they are visitors to this country.

Learning a little about Maori Language and culture would help new immigrants understand the public debate. And understand Shortland St! I've been struck by how much more Maori is on television as part of colloquial English than there was when I left NZ for my OE 6 years ago.

and if they fail sent back

We want more people to know Maori words because it is part of our national identity and something that differentiates us from other countries. The more Maori words that enter into common usage in New Zealand, the more distinctive and interesting our culture will be.

If they've got to learn English, they've got to learn some Maori. Either they're both official languages, or they're not.

make it attractive people will learne with great joy why not

And our children.

This is a Bi-cultural country, the Maori language is part of New Zealand and it is who we are as New Zealanders!!

It wouldn't hurt. Maori IS an official language.

Should know Maori and Maori history as part of a 21 question on New Zealand culture.

I know maori is a dead language. I do not think it is neccesary to learn any maori to function in new zealand. But Maori culture and New zealand culture are one in the same. Learning about maori language and culture could help counter some of the problems presented by ignorant immigrants who come across rude, obnoxious and exclusivist.