A Maori Education professor says a surge of people signing up to Te Reo classes is an indication things are getting better for the language.

Some education providers say they're struggling to keep up with the demand of people signing up to learn the language.

One Wellington class has a waitlist of over 300 people.

Waikato University's Professor of Maori Education Russell Bishop told Mike Hosking the interest shows more people are realising the importance of Te Reo.

"As this process begins and gets better and better, then saving the language will actually be a function of the increasing status of Maori people in New Zealand."

Bishop says it's down to people realising the importance of the language.

"I think as Maori people are becoming a higher status in society as a result of the Waitangi claim process over the last decade. People want to be part of it."

LISTEN TO RUSSELL BISHOP TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE