'Moana' is helping young New Zealanders keep in touch with the Maori language

Get the Full StoryMoana broke the mold with its portrayal of Polynesian culture on the big screen.

In New Zealand, this celebration of heritage is having a real impact, where a translated version of the movie is helping make the Māori language appealing to young people, according to a report in The New York Times.

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Once the predominant language in New Zealand, the Māori language te reo was gradually pushed out as English speakers settled in the country, according to Te Ara.

Speaking te reo was officially discouraged by the late 19th century, eventually leading to the language's decline, and the fear te reo would die out in the mid-20th century. By the 1970s, Māori reasserted their identity and pushed for the language to be taught in schools. Read more...More about Film, Movies, Australia, New Zealand, and Moana

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