Last year’s theme for Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau– Tokelau Language Week was Tokelau! Tapui tau gagana ma tau aganuku, i te manaola ma te lautupuola which means Tokelau! Preserve your language and culture, to enhance spiritual and physical wellbeing.
Tokelau! Tapui tau gagana ma tau aganuku, i te manaola ma te lautupuola, is a powerful reminder about the importance of preserving Pacific languages and cultures.
Tapui refers to preparing the soil for plants to thrive and bear fruit. The term ‘tapui’ is used to emphasise the work we are called to do to maintain and promote Tokelau language and culture.
Last year’s theme reflected the overarching 2021 Pacific Language Week theme of Wellbeing, by linking the importance of language to overall wellbeing.
Due to COVID-19 Alert Levels across Aotearoa Te vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau– Tokelau Language Week was celebrated online.
This year's theme will be revealed soon.
Connect online by visiting the official NZ Tokelau Language Week Facebook page.
The Language Champion Honours is a new initiative which has been introduced as part of the Pacific Language Weeks series 2021.
The Tokelau Language Champion Honours Awards recognise our language advocates from the Tokelau community who have been acknowledged as role models for language revitalisation and preservation of Gagana Tokelau in Aotearoa.
Recipients:
Tapapa (Male) recipient - Vaha Tuielu
Fatupaepae (Female) recipient - Novena Petelo
Talatau (Youth) category - Nathan Lopa