The Māori language, or te reo Māori, is the indigenous language of the Māori people, who are the native inhabitants of New Zealand. It belongs to the Eastern Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian language family, closely related to Tahitian and Hawaiian. Māori was the dominant language in New Zealand until the 19th century when European settlers began arriving, bringing English with them. As the settler population grew and New Zealand became a British colony, Māori-speaking communities saw their language begin to decline due to the increasing use of English in government, education, and daily life. By the 20th century, Māori had become a minority language, with few people speaking it fluently.

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Maori had no written language until 1814, when missionaries first attempted to  write the language down and by 1820 Professor Samuel Lee of Cambridge University and chief Hongi Hika and his junior relative Waikato worked to create a writing system. In the late 20th century, efforts to revitalize the Māori language began, spurred by Māori activism and a growing recognition of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Key milestones included the establishment of Māori-language schools, such as kura kaupapa Māori, and the introduction of Māori-language broadcasting, including radio and television programs. In 1987, Māori was officially recognized as one of New Zealand's official languages, which helped further promote its use in legal, educational, and governmental contexts. Despite ongoing challenges, the Māori language remains an important symbol of Māori identity, and revitalization efforts continue to ensure its survival for future generations.

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