New Zealand PM takes dig at Australia during language debate

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has taken a dig at Australians during question time in New Zealand's parliament.

Mr Luxon claimed it "always pays to be incredibly simple" when communicating with Australians.

It was not clear if Luxon intended his comment as a joke.

[michaelpurvis]

All luxton meant was don't need to over complicate memos etc with all the moari language that even 90% of New Zealand don't know what it means anyway . It's being forced on New Zealand don't need to confuse the rest of the world 😔

[Kelvinpaul]

Kiwi here, Luxon is projecting, he's thinks he's funny, he has quite a dollop of arrogance to his personality . When reminding NZers of budget day, he expressed it in bubby language "3 sleeps to go"
With a record number of educated and experienced NZers leaving NZ, mainly to Australia, he may need to intensify and broaden his bubby taik with ther reminding locals.

[dfunk]

Your reporter just had to explain the Maori words during his report... That is what our PM was talking about here in NZ.
Your reporter just proved his point for us.
It was about communicating in English, with other English speaking countries.

Does Japan write to your PM in Japanese? No, they communicate in English with your PM... Just like our politicians are trying to do, in this story.

[stevenhorne]

I’m live in New Zealand and like most kiwis are sick of all the Te Rero Laungauge rammed at us from the last labour government, they even change the names in the supermarket from English to Maori.
What is crazy is only about 1% of the country can speak Maori.
I am Maori and I speak English. I think the prime minister does not see the need to force Te Rero it on our Aussie friends also.

[OpEditorial]

English is the "lingua franca" of the Western world, and New Zealand deliberately confusing itself and people who want to do business there with this lip service to what is a conquered minority doesn't endear itself to Australia, which is the place most smart Kiwis end up moving to.

[aaronyearbury]

He's right, no one in nz understands Maori so what are the chances world leaders would understand. What's the point in relaying a message in Maori, just to repeat it in English when both parties speak English in the first place

[dominicpelle]

This guy has had one too many Sheep...

[greenrosenz]

As a kiwi I find Luxon's comment as stupid, insulting to our Aussie cousins.

[ngaftp]

He's talking about how the opposition have over complicated simple puplic communication by randomly swapping in maori words and phrases, far beyond any general knowledge, throughout the english platform.

[mayan]

He was only saying keep it simple, just incase they don’t understand.
I think you are over reaching!
Yes English is a language. Not Maori, which has been driven down the New Zealander s throat !

[nomyafiftyonefifty]

Why do New Zealand race horses run so fast??


Because they have seen what New Zealanders do to the sheep.

[ObiePaddles]

Simple, clear and in English. Not a jab at Australia and yes you are over-reaching.

Having said that (‘m sure even Aussies could look up words like Tena kue

[JoyMartin-rkpm]

Great, coming from a nation with all their vowels in the wrong place. That is not just an accent, but plain bad speech.

[GemStar]

I agree with Luxon. While it’s lovely to learn some Māori. The way we communicate should be straightforward. If we wish to communicate in English. Then we should be free to. As it is free to include some Māori words, but we shouldn’t be forced to. Māori word then bracket the English word - freely educate others ❤

[eb]

I thinking he has Albo in his merry band of activists in mind.

[Cruising_the_Dash]

Move on playing the victim here as well as stirring things up. Let's play media windup... clowns

[DunJuan]

To correctly culturally appropriate te reo it should not be written, only expressed verbally or through arts such as song, dance or visual medium. Written language is not considered a visual medium.
Te reo is NOT a written language.

'reo'  a system for the expression of thoughts, feelings, etc, by the use of spoken sounds or conventional symbols.

[fredm]

Prime Minister Luxon just sent us a Diamond Wedding Anniversary card, all in English. No complaints here….lol

[margrethughes]

Te reo suppression Act, capital punishment, Samuel Marsden, Aussie aboriginal welfare officers sent to Aotearoa to uphold their traditions 1860 to 1970s

[iconsaustraliaproductions]

What do you expect when "Mr Pants on Fire Fake PM of PR & BS" answers the phone call from NZ. ???