Many people are feeling frustrated by the extent to which Maori language is overtaking English in written titles, in broadcasts and in education, yet the majority of the population do not understand the communication.

Long prologues in Maori before any English is given is becoming commonplace in the media while we all wait to see what is being talked about.

A whole segment in Maori such as the broadcast on Matariki at the moment on TV1 with English subtitles will become more common unless we get English reinstated as an official language.

Time is running out as  placenames are dropped even for the Weather broadcasts  eg Te wai Poenamo  with no mention of South Island and more and more official websites  ending in Aotearoa  which is

incomprehensible to overseas  persons with whom we depend on for trade etc

English names are being replaced by de facto place names such as Aotearoa with no mention of New Zealand. This is in some ways understandable as Aotearoa is easier to say than New Zealand  which is always a factor in language  transmission but means nothing outside of these shores.

The urgency of getting English  acknowledged as an official language is apparent so we need you to encourage more people to sign this petition  NOW!