.png)
Promoting Diverse Languages
Tēnā koutou kātoa.
Welcome to the Languages Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (Languages Alliance), where our mission is to support language connections across Aotearoa and advocate for policies promoting linguistic diversity.
Our vision is to see a multilingual Aotearoa NZ that benefits socially, culturally and economically from an increasing number of New Zealander's knowing, respecting and speaking more than one languages.
Join us in our journey towards a more inclusive, multilingual society.
About us
Languages Alliance Aotearoa NZ, formerly known as the Auckland Languages Strategy Working Group (ALSWG) is a group of passionate experts from across the language space. We work to support greater connections among people working with languages across Aotearoa, and to promote the need for more coherent policies to support Aotearoa’s many languages. The group is convened by Te Hononga Akoranga COMET (a trust working towards equity in education and skills) and is led by three volunteer co-convenors, Dr Hilary Smith, Dr Elaine Ballard and Susan Warren.
The Languages Alliance is a collaborative effort aimed at creating a more inclusive and multilingual society in Aotearoa. We are driven by the vision of a New Zealand where individuals value and embrace languages other than their own.
By bringing together professionals and advocates from various linguistic backgrounds, the Languages Alliance seeks to champion policies that support the diverse languages spoken in our communities.
At the core of the Language Alliance's mission is the belief that a multilingual Aotearoa New Zealand can bring about social, cultural, and economic benefits for all its residents. Through our work, we hope to encourage more New Zealanders to learn and appreciate different languages, thereby enriching the fabric of society as a whole.
The work being done by the Languages Alliance is not just about promoting language learning; it's about empowering individuals to connect across linguistic barriers and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up Aotearoa. By advocating for greater language support and awareness, the Languages Alliance is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse society.
Keywords: multilingualism, Aotearoa New Zealand, Languages Alliance, linguistic diversity, language advocacy.
Our core messages
-
Te reo Māori first – Aotearoa’s Indigenous language
-
NZSL – our other official national language must be supported
-
Easy access to English is crucial and is supported by strong Mother Tongues
-
Pasifika languages, especially the Realm languages, must be supported
-
All languages especially community and family languages are valuable
-
Language and culture are important for social cohesion, identity, cognitive benefit, trade/tourism (our language, our culture, our identity)
-
Support for language diversity is more than education; it includes recognition in the Civic domain, public celebration, translation/interpreting, maintenance, access to information and services, opportunities of use.
We are calling for:
-
A plan for all children to learn te reo Māori as core curriculum from Year 1, and their heritage or community language of choice
-
Recognition and support of Pasifika languages here in Aotearoa, defined by the Pasifika languages recognised by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (gagana Samoa, Lea faka-Tonga, Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani, vagahau Niue, gagana Tokelau, Vosa vaka Viti, Fäeag Rotuḁm, Te gana Tuvalu, Te taetae ni Kiribati, Bislama, Papua New Guinea Pidgin and Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis).
-
A National Languages Policy to be developed, to provide coherent support for languages across all relevant domains – not just education
-
A national consultation on languages, as a first step towards developing the National Languages Policy
Read about our work
Submission to the
Teaching Council of Aotearoa NZ on proposed changes to the 'Language Competency for Teaching in Aotearoa NZ' policy (May 2024)
Submission on the "Education (Strengthening Second Language Learning in Primary & Intermediate Schools) Amendment Bill (Aug 2020)
Te Takatoranga - Te Pire Reo Maaori 2014
Submission on Māori Language (Te Reo Māori) Bill 2014
Submission to the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Pacific Languages Strategy
(2021)
Briefing to the Incoming Minister (Labour)
(Nov 2017)
Letter to Department of Internal Affairs re Language and Integration in NZ publication
(2014)
Submission to the MSD Consultation on Social Cohesion for Everyone in NZ
(July 2021)
Response to Victoria University's School of Languages & Cultures change proposal consultation
(Nov 2016)
Why a National Languages Policy?
Aotearoa New Zealand’s increasing language diversity is a potential strength for social cohesion, identity, trade, tourism, educational achievement and intercultural understanding. However, lack of central government recognition and support has led to underutilisation of this valuable resource.
Few children have the opportunity to learn their heritage language at school, let alone the opportunity to use it in their learning. Most community language classes have no government support, and children studying a language outside school hours get no recognition for their learning in their school reports. Deaf children are not always supported to learn and use NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) and may not have access to NZSL interpreters or peers in school. The lack of availability of interpreting services severely impacts on migrants, e.g. in health, social services and justice, and many more.
A more coherent language policy that ensured consistent support for language diversity across government agencies could resolve these and other issues, enabling our nation to gain the full benefit of our many languages.
An effective national languages policy would be much wider than just education. It would need to be supported across multiple portfolios including Ethnic Communities; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Māori Development; Pacific Peoples; and Education. It would specifically address and be underpinned by te reo Māori, encompass official recognition and support for Realm languages (Te Reo Kuki Airani, Vagahau Niue and Gagana Tokelau) and for the other major Pacific languages spoken in our nation (Gagana Samoa and Lea Faka-Tonga), and would recognise the value of all languages.
It would provide for access to English as a second language teaching; interpreting and translation services; bilingual and immersion education; language diversity in government communications and broadcasting; formal and informal opportunities for language learning; and support for maintaining heritage languages within families and communities.
There is an opportunity to pick up the efforts of 30 years ago towards more coherent support for languages across settings and agencies, including more consistent support for the many organisations that support language diversity across Aotearoa.
Recommendation: Based on advice from Professor Lo Bianco and others, the first step towards a national languages policy would be to conduct an independent consultation on the issues a languages policy would need to address. He has previously indicated that he is available to assist Government on this matter.