English and Maori are the official languages of New Zealand. Maori became an official language in 1987. In April 2006, New Zealand became the first country to declare sign language and an official language, alongside Maori and English. New Zealand sign language or NZSL, is the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand.

Maori is only used in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. The language lost his population. In 1840, promised Queen Victoria the Maori that their language would be protected. The Maori language wwas often used in media and at school. In 1940, moved Maori people to the cities, but they felt pressured to speak English and children were raised without the Maori language. The Maori language was close to being irrevocably lost.

A recent survey by the New Zealand goverment shows about 130.000 people speak some Maori.

Do you want to know a little bit more about this language?

 http://skyknowledge.com/newmaori-details.htm

some words in Maori

NZSL (New Zealand sign language)

Do you want to know a bit more about the New Zealand sign Language?

Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Sign_Language