The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2023 is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.
This year's theme focuses on the importance of the Samoan language and identity. It impresses on us the need not only to understand the Samoan language, but to also use it as much as possible. When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Samoan.
Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga encourages Samoan language pride in four key areas:
Be proud of your ancestral language
Our ancestral language included symbols, signs, environmental landmarks, events, gestures and other intangible language, serving as a reminder of life from past generations and carrying with it our histories and creation from the minds and mouths of Samoans. Be proud of your language that was created and grown by our ancestors.
Be proud of your spiritual language
The Samoan language is a pillar in our churches and is nurtured in church programmes and activities such as Sunday School, Youth groups, choirs and church services. The church plays an important role in ensuring the Samoan language thrives, and that Samoan people are proud of their language.
Be proud of your language in your families
Pride in the Samoan language begins in the home. The family is the first classroom for Samoans. We are first taught in our homes how to speak and show respect to elders and others. You learn how to invite people to eat, as well as know how to acknowledge gifts of food that people bring with them.
When someone is grounded in their languages, it becomes easier to learn other languages, and it contributes positively to wellbeing. If you are strong in your Samoan language, you never have to question who you are as a Samoan, because you understand what it means to be Samoan.
Be proud of your written language
We are now seeing that our Samoan language is needing to adapt and change. Our written language is now becoming more valued in schools, workplaces, places of worship, and many other areas of our lives. Therefore, we must be able to read, understand, speak and write Samoan. Be proud of your written language especially with the positive changes we are seeing with the Samoan language.
The Samoan language has many components. There is simple Samoan, and there is more complex Samoan. There is everyday language and then there is respectful language. There is language specific to young people, and then language that pertains to chiefs and orators. The Samoan language has depth.
This year’s theme for Samoa Language Week is encouraging all use of the Samoan language, from the language most fitting for young people, to the Samoan language used with adults and older Samoans. Whatever stage you are at on your language journey, and how well you can speak and understand Samoan, it is important to continue to use it daily so that the Samoan language thrives. Only there will you be proud of your language, and only then will your identity as a Samoan be grounded in your mind, body and soul.
Keep an eye out below for a calendar of activities and events to be held throughout Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa in 2023.
Stay connected online by visiting the official Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa Facebook page.
Official Samoa Language Week posters:
Poster Templates:
Samoa Language Card - 6 pages, 712kb (PDF) - Download
Square Tiles - 1080 x 1080 px (jpg):
Rectangular Tiles - 1200 x 628 px (jpg):
Instagram Story Tiles - 1080 x 1920 px (jpg):
Banner Tiles (PNG):
1200 x 628 px:
2400 x 800 px:
Simple greetings and phrases:
Every day during Samoa Language Week, we will be adding new word and phrase of the day video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa community to our Samoa Language Week Playlist on Youtube
Check them out on YouTube here
One file containing all resources, including:
(10 MB Zip file) - Download
|
Date |
Event |
Time |
Venue |
Host |
|
Saturday 27 May |
Samoan Language Week Art Exhibition Opening “Tusiata O Le Tala O Le Vavau” |
11am |
Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland |
Samoan Artist’s Collective |
|
SAMOA LANGUAGE WEEK BEGINS |
||||
|
Sunday 28 May |
Fotu o Malama Samoan Language Week Opening Service |
2.30 - 6pm |
Papatoetoe High School 19 Nicholson Avenue, Papatoetoe |
Fotu o Malama |
|
Sunday 28 May |
Lotu - Tatalaina o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa |
4pm |
St Paul's Trinity Pacific Presbyterian Church |
FAGASA |
|
Sunday 28 May |
Sauniga lotu o le Tutoatasi ma tatala aloa’ia ai le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa NZ |
5pm |
EFKS Cannons Creek Porirua |
Mafutaga Soofaatasi Ueligitone, Porirua ma le Hutt Valley |
|
Sunday 28 May |
Samoan Language Week opening ceremony and lotu |
6pm-8pm |
PMN Cultural Hub, L4 Boehringer Ingelheim Building, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland |
PMN |
|
Monday 29 May |
Launch - Education Perfect (Gagana Samoa) in Primary Sector |
|
Christchurch |
FAGASA |
|
Monday 29 May |
Samoan Baby Bounce |
10.30am |
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub, |
Hutt City Council |
|
Monday 29 May |
SAASIA Lotu mo le Tatalaina o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa |
10am |
EFKS Grey Lynn, |
SAASIA Aoga Amata West & Central |
|
Monday 29 May |
Iunite Samoa - Tupulaga mo a taeao aua le faamanatuina o le Gagana Samoa. Aso Gafua 29 o Me. |
9am |
217 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand |
Rosebank Primary School Avondale - FAGASA |
|
TBC |
Dunedin - Samoan Language week is celebrated together with Samoan Independence. |
TBC |
Dunedin |
FAGASA |
|
Monday 29 May |
Mataupu Tau Samoa ma le Faletusi a le Iunivesite o Vitoria |
10am |
Wellington |
Victoria University, Wellington |
|
Monday 29 May |
University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Ava Ceremony |
11am – 2pm |
Fale Pasifika, 20-26 Wynyard Street City Campus, University of Auckland |
|
|
Monday 29 May |
University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Lotu Afiafi |
6pm – 8pm |
Lagi Atea Moana Cultural Space, |
|
|
Wednesday 31 May 2023 |
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa programme |
10am |
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po, Horowhenua Culture & Community Centre, 10 Bath Street, Levin, 5510 |
Programme of stories and songs led by Fanau Pasifika and a performance from Levin Intermediate. |
|
Wednesday 31 May |
Samoan Storytime |
10.30am |
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub |
Bring your tamaiti along for Samoan Storytime, where we’ll read tusi and do some Samoan crafts! |
|
Thursday 1 June |
Tautai o le moana speech competition |
9am |
Bishop Viard College |
Primary School years 5,6,7,8 Samoa Speech Competition |
|
Thursday 1 June |
University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Samoan Independence Day Showcase |
12-4pm |
Fale Pasifika |
|
|
Thursday 1 June 2023 |
5.45pm - 6.45pm |
Alexander Turnbull Library |
Suliana Vea from the Alexander Turnbull Library and Ulu Afaese from Digital Pasifik will explore the Samoan collections held at the Library. |
|
|
Friday 2 June |
SAASIA Lotu mo le Tapunia o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa |
10am |
Ekalesia Metotisi Manukau |
SAASIA Aoga Amata South |
|
Friday 2 June |
Polokalame fa’apitoa a Mapusaga Aoga Amata ma tamaiti aoga mai le Iunivesite. |
10am |
7-9 Vili Place, Woolston, Christchurch |
SAASIA Kalaiesetete |
|
Saturday 3 June 2023 |
Lalelei o le laumua |
|
O’Shea Performing Arts Centre |
Tautua Dance, Tofi o Tamatane & Anamua Fou |
|
Saturday 3 June 2023 |
Gogosina – “O Le Feagaiga” production |
6pm |
Kings and Queens Performance Auditorium 270 Bay View Rd, Dunedin |
SIVA Tanetini |
|
Saturday 3 June 2023 |
Samoa Language Week 2023 Entertainment featuring Mt Malaka Band and DJ Fasafuss |
7pm |
Mafutaga Samoa |
|
|
Saturday 3 June 2023 |
Fiafia night |
|
PIACT Hall |
|
Coming soon!
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 |
