Hastings McDonald's worker Jershon Tatana, 17, inspired thousands on the internet to speak te reo Māori.

When a group visiting McDonald's placed an order in te reo Māori, they didn't expect Jershon Tatana to respond in kind.

The 17-year-old, who works at the store in Hastings, was filmed during the exchange, and the clip has inspired more people to use te reo at restaurants.

"I don't think they knew that I was able to speak Māori but that's all good," he told Māori Television.

TE KAEA Jershon Tetana works at the busiest McDonald's in the Hawke's Bay.

"The main thing is that we're speaking our language so it lives."

READ MORE:

* Editorial: More Maori language lessons welcome

* Auckland Grammar hires first Maori language teacher

* Recognition for those promoting Maori language in business

Tatana said that since the video was uploaded online, many people have followed the example and are now also ordering their food in te reo at different places, as well as at the McDonald's branch where he works.

"We have people coming through the drive-thru ordering in Māori

McDonald's operations manager Carmel Berghan said Tatana's actions had prompted "lots of positive comments from the local community".

Tatana attended Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatu through primary and intermediate and now attends St Johns College.