(Picture caption: It is Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week! Visit the MPP website to download the poster and other language resources.)
Our third most spoken language takes centre stage with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is celebrated from Sunday 26 May to Saturday 1 June 2024.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford Lidstone says the Ministry for Pacific Peoples is proud once again to work with Samoan community groups to support the week.
This year, the community have chosen the theme, Tautua i le alofa, manuia le lumana’i – Serve in love for a blessed future.
This theme acknowledges the maintenance of language is achieved with consistent service – particularly through the values of alofa (love), fa’aaloalo (respect) and vā fealoa’i (respectful relationships).
“Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa became the first of the Pacific Language Weeks to be celebrated in New Zealand back in 2007,” says Gerardine.
“I encourage everyone to get behind the Samoa Language Week tradition – whether that’s learning a word, email greeting or sign-off or connecting with the content shared online by the community throughout the week.
“Ia manuia le fa’amanatuina o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – wishing our Samoan communities all the best for the week ahead.”
Gagana Samoa is the third most spoken language in Aotearoa New Zealand, following English and Te Reo Māori, and the second most spoken language in Auckland.
According to Census 2018, the number of Samoans who can speak Gagana Samoa has dropped by nine percent since 2006, highlighting the need to preserve and revitalise it for future generations.
Languages play an important role in reinforcing an individual’s sense of identity and belonging, which in turn supports confidence and their ability to achieve in education and employment.
Both online and in-person activities will take place this Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, including events across New Zealand to mark the opening and closing, as well as community activities and workshops run by various community groups.
Visit the MPP website for resources, including a poster which reflects the important role children and young people can play in revitalising Pacific languages, while the Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa Facebook page contains content and event information.