Biculturalism in (inter)action in Aotearoa New Zealand: an Interactional Sociolinguistics analysis of workplace practice in a context of conscious learning

Biculturalism is now an explicit goal of some organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand, with clear acknowledgement of the indigenous Māori culture alongside the dominant Pākehā culture (non-Māori of European descent). Drawing on interviews and recordings of meetings of a senior leadership team, this paper uses Interactional Sociolinguistics to examine the practices adopted as the Māori CEO guides majority group team members towards a deeper understanding of what a commitment to biculturalism entails in their everyday workplace interactions. Moreover, in this organisation, biculturalism is perceived as inextricably intertwined with bilingualism: language provides a key tool for advancing the organisation's bicultural goals.