Māori language levels: levels of immersion available in New Zealand schools

Māori Language Learning describes students being taught at different levels of Māori instruction. Each level is defined by the proportion of time the student is taught using Te Reo Māori.

Based on Māori Language Learning levels, school leaver data identifies students who, when they left school, were:

• Predominantly learning in te reo Māori. That is, were in Māori Language Learning levels 1 or 2.
• Predominantly learning in English. That is, were in Māori Language Learning levels 3 – 6, or with no Māori language in education.
• Level 1: 81-100%: Curriculum is taught in Māori for more than 20 and up to 25 hours a week.
• Level 2: 51-80%: Curriculum is taught in Māori for more than 12.5 and up to 20 hours a week.
• Level 3: 31-50%: Curriculum is taught in Māori for more than 7.5 and up to 12.5 hours a week.
• Level 4(a) 12-30%: Curriculum is taught in Māori for more than 3 and up to 7.5 hours a week.
• Level 4(b) At least 3 hours: Students are learning Te Reo Māori as a separate subject for at least 3 hours a week.
• Level 5 Less than 3 hours: Students are learning Te Reo Māori as a separate subject for less than 3 hours a week.
• Level 6 Taha Māori: Students learn Māori songs, greetings, and simple words.
• No Māori Language Education: Students in school roll not recorded at any level of Māori Language Learning.
• Not Applicable: Māori language in Education information is not collected for these students.