I request that the house of representatives urge the government to reverse changes laid out in the 2024 Education report to ensure Te Reo Māori continues to be included in Ready to Read Phonics Plus (RtRPP) books.

Te Reo Māori is an official language in Aotearoa, New Zealand and an important part of our cultural heritage and national identity. Exposing young children to Te Reo Māori supports early literacy development, with bilingualism being linked to cognitive and educational benefits. Including Māori kupu in Ready to Read Phonics Plus books does not prevent tamariki from learning English, but instead it enriches their learning experience, reflects the use of Te Reo Māori in our everyday life, and helps nurture an appreciation of New Zealand’s cultural identity. The removal of Te Reo Māori from these resources would reduce opportunities for young people to engage with one of New Zealand’s nationally recognised languages and connect with an important part of our culture.