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Kiribati Language Week 2023

Kiribati Language Week 2023

Celebrate: Sunday 9 July - Saturday 15 July

This year's theme, 'Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru,' highlights the importance of nurturing, enhancing, and sustaining the Tungaru language and culture. Tungaru, the name given by their ancestors, plays a significant role in shaping their identity and well-being.

"Kiribati Language Week, Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati, is a moment of unity and celebration for the Kiribati community in Aotearoa," said Hon Minister Barbara Edmonds, Minister for Pacific Peoples. "It's a valuable opportunity for all i-Kiribati people to honour their culture, identity, and language of the islands."

While 50 percent of i-Kiribati people in New Zealand speak the Tungaru language, there's a need to increase these numbers, especially among the younger generation. Kiribati groups are dedicated to preserving language and culture, recognising its significance for the next generation.

Investing in Pacific bilingual and multilingual speakers benefits Aotearoa by improving education, enhancing employment opportunities, fostering cultural connections, and strengthening the confidence of Pacific peoples.

During Kiribati Language Week, various in-person and online events will offer opportunities to learn the Tungaru language through cultural practices, storytelling, crafts, dance, and music. The celebrations will also include Kiribati Independence Day on July 12.

Watch this page for a calendar of activities and events to be held throughout Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate the richness of the Kiribati language, culture and traditions.

Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Kiribati Language Week Facebook page.

Kiribati Webtile

Kiribati Language Week resources

Kiribati Language Week video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa Kiribati community for Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week 2023.

Check them out on YouTube here

Official Kiribati Language Week posters (PDF)

Kiribati Language Cards6 page PDF

Email Signatures:

Desktop Background:

One file containing all resources, including: 

  • Email signatures
  • Desktop Background
  • Posters and templates
  • Language Cards
  • Web banners
  • Social media tiles
  • Audio files

(30 MB Zip file) - Download

Calendar of Events 2023

Date

Event

Time

Venue

Host

Sunday 9 July

Combined Opening Service

12pm-2pm

Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
   

4pm

85 Palmers Road
Clendon Park, Manurewa, Auckland

Kiribati Uniting Church New Zealand (KUCNZ)

 

Combined Opening Service

5pm

All church denominations Maraeroa Hall
Waitangirua, Porirua

Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated

 

Opening Ceremony
Combined Church Service

6pm

Masonic Hall, James Hargest College, Invercargill

Southland Kiribati Community and Youth

Monday 10 July

Flag Raising

8am

Peace Memorial Park, Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc

  Showcasing of our Kiribati Cultural Materials: displaying and presentations 9am – 11am

Pataka Art + Museum
Spine
17 Parumoana Street
Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
  Flag Raising 9am

Peace Memorial Park, Porirua

Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  Kiribati language workshop display and storytelling and at the library 10am - 2pm

ICC Library, 50 Dee Street, Invercargill

Southland Kiribati Community and Youth
  Canoe and House Model Construction 1pm

Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua

Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  Kiribati 44th Independence Celebrations 6pm

Pataka Art + Museum
Performing Arts Studio
17 Parumoana Street
Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc

Tuesday 11 July

Cooking Workshop
Learn to cook Kiribati cuisine

6am – 10am ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill Southland Kiribati Community and Youth

 

 Language and Cultural Skills Training – House Model Construction

9am – 4pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated 
 

Showcase - Kiribati dancing and singing

10:30am - 12pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
 

Cultural Showcase

11am - 12:30pm Ministry of Social Development National Office
The Aurora Centre
56 The Terrace
Wellington
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
 

Showcase - Kiribati weaving

12pm - 2pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc

Wednesday 12 July

Language and Cultural Skills Training – canoe model construction 9am – 4pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  Kiribati Cultural and Sports Day
Market Day Weaving Indoor Activities
10am - 3pm ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill Southland Kiribati Community and Youth
  Learning how to make te Itera – the Kiribati head garlands. Learning the basic skills of weaving 10:30am - 1pm Porirua City Council Hub7 Serlby Place, Porirua Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
  Kiribati Performance   Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings, 1 Museum Street, Wellington Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated

Thursday 13 July

Language and Cultural Skills Training – Dancing Gears including Skirt 9am – 4pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  Kids programme – Sustaining our Kiribati Language
  • Learning basic Kiribati words
  • Learning Kiribati traditional games for children
  • Kiribati traditional story telling
10am - 12pm Porirua City Council Hub

7 Serlby Place, Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
  Kiribati Dance Workshop 10am - 2pm ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill Southland Kiribati Community and Youth

Friday 14 July

Language and Cultural Skills Training – sewing 9am - 4pm Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  All about the Tirinimao (neck garland) 10am - 12pm Porirua City Council Hub7 Serlby Place, Porirua Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
  Kiribati Drama
Talent Show
6pm - 10pm ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill Southland Kiribati Community and Youth

Saturday 15 July

Kiribati 44th Independence Celebrations and Closing 9am - 10am

Maraeroa Hall, Waitangirua, Porirua

Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated
  All about Kiribati knots 10am - 12pm Porirua City Council Hub

7 Serlby Place, Porirua

Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc
  Independence Celebration 10am - 1pm ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill NZ National Kiribati Council and Southland Kiribati Community and Youth

Kiribati Language Week Funding Recipients

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Samoa Language Week preparations in 2022:

Organisation/Group Name

Location

Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Wellington Kiribati Club 

Wellington

$16,760.00 

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops. 

New Zealand Kiribati National Council 

Auckland

$15,000.00 

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops. 

Tewaaki West Auckland applying under the umbrella of Kiribati Federation Aotearoa 

Auckland

$5,000.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops. 

Te Nati n I-Kiribati 

Canterbury 

 $2,500.00 

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through arts and craft; traditional dance; and music workshops

Christchurch Kiribati Community Incorporated 

Christchurch 

$1,500.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops. 

Kiribati Waikato Association Incorporated 

Waikato

$1,500.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through church resources, community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops

Ueen Kiribati 

Bay of Plenty 

$1,200.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community awareness events; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops

Southland Kiribati Community and Youth  

Southland

$1,000.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through community events; arts and crafts; traditional dance; and music workshops

South Canterbury I-Kiribati Community 

Canterbury 

$1,000.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language week: language learning through oratory; storytelling; arts and crafts; traditional and cultural practices, dance; and music workshops

 

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Kiribati Language Week preparations in 2021:

Organisation/Group Name

Location

 Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Kiribati Community Club Incorporated also known as Wellington Kiribati

Wellington

5,700.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

Kiribati Waipounamu Inc

Invercargill

5,000.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning classes for beginners

NZ Kiribati National Council

Auckland

36,470.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

Victoria University Pasifika Student Council

Wellington

954.86

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music