In a stance defending cultural inclusivity, New Zealand’s central bank chief, Adrian Orr, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to using the Maori language in official communications. This comes in response to recent agreements signed by the country’s new centre-right government, outlining policies aimed at scaling back the use of the Maori language in the public sector.
During a media conference following the bank’s monetary policy meeting, Governor Adrian Orr expressed pride in the central bank’s Maori name, “Te Putea Matua,” asserting the institution’s dedication to preserving and utilizing the Maori language alongside the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) designation.
“Our embracing of Te Ao Maori (the Maori worldview, including language) has been about how we work together as opposed to what our mandate is, and all our actions and activities are firmly anchored to our legal mandate,” Orr emphasized.
The push to reduce the use of the Maori language is part of a broader policy agenda introduced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s new government, seeking to reverse changes implemented by the previous centre-left Labour government. Last week, the coalition government parties signed agreements aiming to curtail the use of Maori language and mandate English as the primary language for government agencies’ department names and communications.
Luxon announced plans to introduce legislation within the government’s first 100 days to reform the RBNZ’s mandate and overturn the ban on selling cigarettes to future generations.
In recent years, the RBNZ underwent a significant transformation under Orr’s leadership, placing the country’s Maori heritage and language at the core of its operations. This overhaul extended beyond corporate branding to influence policy and communication approaches.
Policy documents from the RBNZ now incorporate visual and linguistic references to Maori folklore, and the inclusion of common Maori phrases or words, although culturally enriching, has occasionally posed challenges for foreign investors trading the New Zealand dollar.
While the government has not released specific details on how these policies might directly impact the central bank, the RBNZ operates independently. Nevertheless, it receives a remit from the finance minister outlining specific matters the government wishes the bank to prioritize, such as financial stability and prudential regulation. The central bank’s commitment to cultural inclusivity remains a focal point amid the evolving policy landscape, emphasizing the importance of preserving and integrating the Maori language within New Zealand’s public institutions.
