The Chairperson of the Maori Language Commission is calling for Māori Language week to be extended.
Erima Henare was at the launch of Māori Language week in Wellington where he said it is up to Māori to use the language every day of the year.
Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori is pushing more use of the language on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with the younger generation in mind.
Initiatives like flash mob haka are also being encouraged, and Erima says the times have certainly changed since his younger days.
Erima says the language should be spoken 24/7, but it is up to our people to make that decision for themselves.