Maori are a smaller percentage of the population, it shouldn't be any more compulsory than French or Chinese

Māori language was nearly eradicated as a result of colonialism. French and Chinese were not. French and Chinese also have many more speakers, and there is very little risk of those languages being eradicated anytime soon. Pākehā should respect and embolden modern māori culture and language by learning te reo - the language pākehā previously sought to eradicate. It is the least we can do to make up for our ancestors actions. Also, pākehā and their colonialism are the reason māori are a 'smaller percentage of the population' in the first place.