Maori, also known as Te Reo ("the language"), is an Eastern Polynesian language spoken by the Maori people, the indigenous population of New Zealand. Since 1987, it has been one of New Zealand's official languages. It is closely related to Cook Islands Maori, Tuamotuan, and Tahitian.

A national census undertaken in 2013 reported that about 148,000 people, or 3.7% of the New Zealand population, could hold a conversation in Maori about everyday things. , 55% of Maori adults reported some knowledge of the language; of these speakers, 64% use Maori at home and 50,000 can speak the language "very well" or "well".

There was originally no native writing system for Maori. Missionaries brought the Latin alphabet around 1814, and linguist Samuel Lee worked with chief Hongi Hika to systematize the written language in 1820. The resultant phonetic spellings were remarkably successful. Written Maori has changed little since then.

The English word comes from the Maori language, where it is spelled "Maori". In New Zealand, the Maori language is commonly referred to as "Te Reo" "the language", short for "te reo Maori".

The spelling "Maori" (without macron) is standard in English outside New Zealand in both general and linguistic usage. The Maori-language spelling "Maori" (with macron) has become common in New Zealand English in recent years, particularly in Maori-specific cultural contexts, although the traditional English spelling is still prevalent in general media and government use.

1. When was Maori first written down?
2. Who worked together towards that cause?
3. Was Hongi Hika a chief?
4. What was Lee's profession?
5. Who first introduced the alphabet to the region?
6. When did that occur?
7. Has the written language gone through a lot of changes since then?
8. What is the language called in New Zealand?
9. What does that mean?
10. What is the horizontal line above the "a" called?
11. Is the term ever used without that symbol?
12. Who speaks this language?
13. Are they native to Australia?
14. Where then?
15. Is it an official language?
16. What other dialects is it related to?
17. About how many people in the country can speak this?
18. Is that over half of New Zealand's population?
19. About what percentage of Maori adults know at least a little of the language?
20. About how many can speak the language well or very well?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. 1820
2. Samuel Lee and Hongi Hika
3. Yes
4. linguist
5. Missionaries
6. around 1814
7. No
8. "Te Reo"
9. the language
10. macron
11. Yes
12. the Maori people
13. No
14. New Zealand
15. Yes
16. Cook Islands Maori, Tuamotuan, and Tahitian.
17. 148,000
18. No
19. 55
20. 50,000