My Language, My Inspiration

My Language, My Inspiration traces the journey between 1972 and 2008 to revitalise the Māori language. The books outline the determined struggle to bring the Māori language back from the brink, provide interviews with two dozen people who were active in the fight for the Māori language and include photographs of key events and people.

The history explores the reasons for the decline of the language and charts its resurgence over the last four decades through initiatives such as Waitangi Tribunal claims, the petition and march for the Māori language and the development of the Rākau method of learning, and the establishment of institutions such as kōhanga reo, the Māori Broadcasting Authority and Māori Television.

• Chris Winitana, Author