The number of public servants learning Te Reo has surged.
A 'Love the language' flag in Wellington during Māori language week. Photo: RNZ
Newly released figures show the ministries of Health and Education have doubled their annual spend on Māori language and cultural training in the last two years.
Ministry of Health spent more than $80,000 on cultural advice and training for its 1100 staff in the last financial year (2014-2015), compared with less than $40,000 the previous year.
Ministry of Education spent more than $60,000 on its 2500 staff last year, compared to $30,000 the year before. while Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has tripled its annual spend for cultural advice and training - from $4000 to $12,000.
And it paid another $50,000 for more than 200 staff to attend workshops to better understand the Māori economy and the evolving Crown-Māori relationship.
The country's largest government department, the Ministry of Social Development, says it has spent up to $30,000 on Treaty workshops and marae visits.
