Fijian Language Week is celebrated in New Zealand from Sunday 5 October to Saturday 11 October 2025.
This year’s Fijian Laguage Week theme, Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale: My language starts at home, speaks to the heart of Fijian life. It’s in the way we greet one another, share stories, pray together, and pass on values. Language lives in the home and that’s where its revival begins.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, says the theme reflects the strength of Fijian communities in Aotearoa and the importance of maintaining our Pacific languages in our homes.
“Our homes are where culture is nurtured. When we speak Vosa vakaViti (Fijian) with our children, our elders, and each other, we are building pride, resilience, and connection,” says Gerardine.
“For many Fijian communities, weekly kava gatherings are a way of life. They bring people together through storytelling, laughter, and shared values, with language at the centre of it all. These everyday moments are where language begins and grows,” Gerardine adds.
Youth leader of the Northland Fijian Community, Ananaiasa Ratuva Gauniqio, says language is a living expression of identity.
“In Fiji we say ’vinaka vaka niu’ - to be good and useful like the coconut tree, where every part serves a purpose. Our language is the same. It nourishes us, grounds us, and gives us strength. Every word in Vosa vakaViti carries meaning, history, and connection. It’s a call to live with purpose, humility, and pride in one’s heritage,” says Ananaiasa.
Fiji Day celebrations on 10 October will bring extra depth to the week, weaving together language, culture, and history through meke (dance), hymns, traditional ceremonies, and kava gatherings.
“These are moments where Vosa vakaViti is not only spoken but also sung, chanted, and lived,” reflects Ananaiasa.
Throughout the week, communities across New Zealand will host workshops, cultural events, and Fiji Day celebrations, sharing the beauty of the language with all New Zealanders.
Explore the Fijian Language Week webpage and follow the NZ Fijian Language Week Facebook page for resources and events to help you learn and share Vosa vakaViti.