Spoken Maori prerequisite for Cook Islands residency
Updated
People who want to become Cook Islanders will soon have to learn Maori. Immigration Minister Sir Terepai Maoate says the move aims to strengthen the role of the Maori language as a key part of the country's national identity. He says it is in line with similar policies in New Zealand and Australia where immigrants need a command of English before getting permanent residence or citizenship.
Sir Terepai says the new policy was partly a response to a recent increase in the potential number of new permanent residents.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Sir Terepai Maoate, Cook Islands immigration minister
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