Skip to content

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week

Celebrated: 1 - 7 June 2025

The 2025 theme for Samoa Language Week is Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā – A well-grounded self, is a successful self’.

The Komiti o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week Committee explain this year's theme: 

"A well-crafted ocean sailing vessel, built with care and precision, ensures a safe and steady journey. When all its parts are thoughtfully constructed, the vessel remains balanced, strong and ready to face the open seas.

Similarly, people who prepare thoroughly and with intention become grounded and resilient and well-equipped to navigate life’s challenges and succeed in their endeavours. No matter the challenges and hardships of life, a well-grounded person will not be easily shaken or defeated because they are firmly rooted and well-prepared". 

Read more about the theme for the week: Theme for Samoa Language Week 2025 (PDF 138KB)

Resources, including social media graphics and posters, will be available on each language week page ahead of the celebrations.

Samoa Language Week Funding Recipients

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Samoa Language Week preparations in 2024:

Organisation/Group name Location Approved amount Language Initiative focus
Samoan Society Timaru Incorporated Timaru $3,000 Gagana Samoa Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Faalapotopotoga mo le aoaoina o le Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa (FAGASA) National $8,000

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Sosaiete Aoga Amata Samoa i Aotearoa (SAASIA) National $10,000

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Fotu o Malama Auckland $15,000

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Gagana Samoa Expo Auckland $2,500

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Pasifika4 Tomorrow Levin $3,000

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events
Mafutaga Faifeau Fellowship Wellington $2,000

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through community awareness events

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Samoa Language Week preparations in 2023:

Organisation/Group Name

Location

Approved Amount

Initiative focus

SAASIA

Auckland

$10,000

Language learning through digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, and music

Siva Komiti Tanetini

Otago

$1,800

Language learning through dance and music

Fa'alapotopotoga Tagata Samoa Nelson Tasman

Nelson

$3,000

Language learning through traditional dance, community awareness events, oratory, and music

FAAGASA Inc

Auckland

 $10,000

Language learning through music, digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, and community awareness events

Fotu o Malama Association

Auckland

$13,000

Language learning through digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, oratory, community awareness events, and music

CCCS Otahuhu Youth Group

Auckland

$2,500

Language learning through oratory, and traditional dance

Autalavou EFKS New Lynn - Vavega o le Ola

Auckland

$3,450

Language learning through traditional dance, oratory and music

Pacific Media Network

Auckland

$4,000

Language learning through a community awareness event, traditional dance, and digital/online learning

Faugagana Committee

Wellington

$3,800

Language learning through arts and crafts, traditional dance, music, community awareness events, and oratory

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

Organisation/Group Name

Location

Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

FAGASĀ 

Auckland

$12,000.00 

Gagana Samoa

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

Fotu o Malama Inc 

Auckland

$12,000.00 

Gagana Samoa

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

SAASIA  

Auckland

$12,000.00  

Gagana Samoa

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

Fa'alapotopotoga Tagata Samoa Nelson Tasman Trust 

Tasman-Nelson 

 $5,360.00  

Gagana Samoa

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

Falelalaga Cultural and Education Centre  

Auckland

$5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

Multicultural Aoraki 

Canterbury 

$2,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

Ola Taumafai Charitable Trust Timaru

Canterbury 

$1,413.00

Gagana Samoa

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

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

Organisation/Group Name

Location

 Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Aiga Samoa Far North

Kaitaia

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

CCCS Youth

Invercargill

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

FAGASA

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

Fotu O Mālama

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

Lorenzo Kaisara

Auckland

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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

SAASIA

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

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