'I'm absolutely stoked' - Hamilton McDonald's worker scolded by manager now allowed to speak Te Reo Māori with customers

September 14, 2018

A McDonald's employee who was chastised by her manager for speaking Te Reo Māori at work has received an apology.

Janine Eru-Taueki, 19, was keen to celebrate Māori Language Week with customers at the Hamilton McDonald's where she worked, but had her enthusiasm dashed when a manager told her not to speak New Zealand's official language.

Janine was told it would be considered rude to address customers in a language other than English, she told Māori Television.

However, Māori Television now reports that Janine has received an apology from her manager and will be allowed to use te reo in the workplace from now on.

"I feel at peace about it now. They're allowing me and all Māori-speaking employees to speak Māori to staff and customers. I'm absolutely stoked," Janine says.

The teenager is also happy she gets to keep her job.

"I thought I might lose my job, but because they've changed their policy I still have a job."

McDonald's officials said they are learning from the situation and will explore policies that might better support Māori Language Week in the future.

The restaurant didn’t receive any customer complaints about Janine's bilingual efforts, they confirmed.

McDonald's Hamilton stores are planning to offer a bilingual menu to customers.

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