(Picture caption: Tālofa lava! Welcome to Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week. Visit the MPP website for more information and resources.)
Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Barbara Edmonds says understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival.
The Samoan population in New Zealand is one of the fastest-growing populations and largest Pacific group, representing 47.9 per cent of all Pacific people in the country.
Gagana Samoa is New Zealand’s third most spoken language – following English and Te Reo Māori, and the second most spoken language in Auckland.
Minister Edmonds says this year, $13.3 million has been invested from Budget 2023 to implement the Pacific Languages Strategy and ensure Pacific communities have more opportunities to hear, speak and learn our languages.
“If our Pacific people have more tools and support for languages, we can ensure we preserve them for generations to come,” she adds.
The theme for the 2023 Samoa Language Week is Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga, which translates to Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity.
“This year, the Samoa community have been busy planning in-person and online activities around learning through music, Pacific radio, school programmes and prayer services,” the Minister says.
“During the week, we encourage everyone to value and use Gagana Samoa - be it our young people, families, church groups, or elders.
“The Leo Moana o Aotearoa Survey report published last year by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) shows the significant role Pacific languages play in the daily lives of our communities.
“For example, 84 percent of Samoans believe it is important to be able to speak Gagana Samoa and 83 percent use digital technology, media and the internet to help them connect more to their language and culture.
“No matter where you are on your language journey, I want to encourage everyone to speak and share our Samoan language as much as possible,” she says.
Samoa Language Week begins on May 28 and concludes on June 3, and incorporates commemorations for Samoa Independence Day on June 1.
It is the second of nine Pacific Language Weeks to be held throughout the year and supported by MPP.
Visit the MPP website for Pacific Language Week information and resources.