Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a-Apanui, Ngāti Hine) is the Chief Executive of the Māori Language Commission. His tenure has been underpinned by manaakitanga – caring for new and potential learners of te reo, taunaki – using evidence to inform our approach, and whakawhanaungatanga – using commonalities as the basis for the inclusion of all New Zealanders in te reo Māori revitalisation.

‘Te reo Māori is New Zealand’s language – a language that is a key marker of our national identity and a language that every New Zealander has the right to learn and speak’.