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Moana。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 。The New York Times。
. 。SEE ALSO:Visit homes around the world with Google Earth 。 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。
Te Ara 。
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There are currently 148,000 people who can speak the Māori language — 3.7 per cent of the country's population, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Social Development. A popular movie like。 Moana 。Moana。 could be the key to making the language appealing again to young people in the country.。Taika Waititi, New Zealand director of blockbuster films like 。
Thor: Ragnorok。
, approached Disney to translate the film — with his sister Tweedie producing the translated version.。
Moana reo Māori 。
went on to screen for free at 30 cinemas around the country, selling out.。
"Language is the expression of a culture and a race of people," Haami Piripi, the former head of the country's Maori Language Commission told the news outlet. 。