The event was established in the early 1970s when it became clear that very few people in New Zealand could speak Maori and a petition was signed asking for the protection of the language.
The event was established in the early 1970s when it became clear that very few people in New Zealand could speak Maori and a petition was signed asking for the protection of the language. It was presented to the New Zealand parliament on September 14, 1972, and that date was recognised as the Maori language day three years later.