Intonation patterns

The high rate of use of High Rising Terminals (HRTs) was noted on New Zealand English. This intonation pattern is prevalent also in Maori English, and may indeed be in more general use than in Pakeha English, where HRT use is more typical of female speakers than male speakers (Bell and Johnson 1997). It has also been commented that Maori speakers maintain a relatively high level of pitch overall, which may also be an influence from Maori.