MAORI VOICE OVER TALENTS NATIVE SPEAKERS - PAGE 1

Maori language
Native to: New Zealand
Native speakers: 60,000
Writing system: Latin (Maori alphabet)
Capital city: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Dialing code: +64
Country code: NZ
Population: 4,537,081
Maori is an Austronesian language spoken in New Zealand, or Aotearoa ('The Land of the Long White Cloud'), and the Cook Islands by about 136,000 people. It was brought to New Zealand by Polynesian people, probably from Taihiti or thereabouts in about 800 AD, or possibly earlier. Maori is most closely related to Tahitian, which is spoken in Tahiti and the Society Islands, and Rarotongan, which is spoken in the southern Cook Islands. Before 1840, Maori was the predominant language of New Zealand. It was extensively used in social, religious, commercial and political interactions among Maori, and between Maori and Pakeha (Whites). Maori was also the language of instruction in the schools set up by missionaries. From the 1940s onwards, the Maori began migrating to urban areas where they were living amongst the English-speaking Pakeha. As a result, many of them chose to speak English and to raise their children as English speakers. In the 1970s, Maori urban groups began to be concerned about the decline of the Maori language and set up various schemes and organisations to promote the language, including bilingual and Maori medium schools, radio stations and a TV channel.