Māori, also known as Te Reo ("the language"), is an Eastern Polynesian language spoken by the Māori 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 Māori, 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 Māori about everyday things. , 55% of Māori adults reported some knowledge of the language; of these speakers, 64% use Māori at home and 50,000 can speak the language "very well" or "well". 

There was originally no native writing system for Māori. 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 Māori has changed little since then. 

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

The spelling "Maori" (without macron) is standard in English outside New Zealand in both general and linguistic usage. The Māori-language spelling "Māori" (with macron) has become common in New Zealand English in recent years, particularly in Māori-specific cultural contexts, although the traditional English spelling is still prevalent in general media and government use.
When was Maori first written down?
Who worked together towards that cause?
Was Hongi Hika a chief?
What was Lee's profession?
Who first introduced the alphabet to the region?
When did that occur?
Has the written language gone through a lot of changes since then?
What is the language called in New Zealand?
What does that mean?
What is the horizontal line above the "a" called?
Is the term ever used without that symbol?
Who speaks this language?
Are they native to Australia?
Where then?
Is it an official language?
What other dialects is it related to?
About how many people in the country can speak this?
Is that over half of New Zealand's population?
About what percentage of Maori adults know at least a little of the language?
About how many can speak the language well or very well?
1820
 linguist Samuel Lee worked with chief Hongi Hika to systematize the written language in 1820
Samuel Lee and Hongi Hika
 linguist Samuel Lee worked with chief Hongi Hika to systematize the written language in 1820
Yes
chief Hongi Hika 
linguist
 linguist Samuel Lee
Missionaries
Missionaries brought the Latin alphabet around 1814
around 1814
Missionaries brought the Latin alphabet around 1814
No
Written Māori has changed little since then.
"Te Reo"
In New Zealand, the Māori language is commonly referred to as "Te Reo"
the language
"Te Reo" "the language"
macron
"Māori" (with macron)
Yes
The spelling "Maori" (without macron) is standard in English outside New Zealand
the Māori people
 language spoken by the Māori people
No
the Māori people, the indigenous population of New Zealand
New Zealand
the Māori people, the indigenous population of New Zealand
Yes
Since 1987, it has been one of New Zealand's official languages
Cook Islands Māori, Tuamotuan, and Tahitian.
It is closely related to Cook Islands Māori, Tuamotuan, and Tahitian.
148,000
about 148,000 people, or 3.7% of the New Zealand population, could hold a conversation in Māori
No
3.7% of the New Zealand population, could hold a conversation in Māori
55
55% of Māori adults reported some knowledge of the language
50,000
50,000 can speak the language "very well" or "well".