New Zealand’s Niuean community is celebrating Niue Language Week from 13 to 19 October 2024.
This year’s theme, Leveki mo e Feaki e Vagahau Niue ma Anoiha – Protect and Nurture Vagahau Niue for the Future, signals the critical need to preserve Niue’s language as a cultural foundation for future generations.
Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary for Pacific Peoples, emphasises the importance of language as a cultural anchor: "Language is at the heart of a community’s identity and its survival. Niue Language Week is an opportunity to honour and protect Vagahau Niue while ensuring it continues to thrive among younger generations."
The Vagahau Niue Trust and other Niuean community groups have organised a series of events and initiatives to celebrate Vagahau Niue, with the support of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
The week takes on even more significance for the community as Niue celebrates 50 years of self-governance this year. Activities during the week look forward to the next 50 years and are designed to strengthen language use across generations – particularly as 83% of New Zealand’s Niuean population are New Zealand-born and face challenges maintaining their connection to language, with 12% of Niueans in New Zealand currently speaking Vagahau Niue.
"We invite all New Zealanders to engage with Vagahau Niue across the week. This is about more than just learning words – it’s about supporting a vibrant, living culture," says Gerardine.
Visit the Niue Language Week page and social media platforms for resources, including language guides, event details, and stories from the Niuean community, throughout the week.
"Fakaaue lahi – a sincere thank you to the Niuean community for their dedication to preserving and nurturing Vagahau Niue," Gerardine adds.
Media contact: MPP Communications Director, Jaimee Burke at [email protected] or 0220114670