This year's theme for Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – Tokelau Language Week is "Halahala ki vavau, kae ke mau ki pale o Tokelau" which means "To plan for the future is to understand the past."
The theme connects to the overall theme for this year’s Pacific language weeks ‘sustainability’ and the launch of the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages.
To preserve our language, it’s important that we acknowledge and understand our past to move forward with confidence as a community in Aotearoa New Zealand. For our language to be sustained it requires a collective approach, effort and skill by our people. When we plan for the future, we are able to work together in harmony for the sustainability of the Tokelau Language. Our language and traditional ways of strengthening our identity.
In addition, the importance of sustaining and maintaining the Tokelau language with care is emphasised by the unique challenges that the island nation faces in the effects of climate change. There are 8,767 Tagata Tokelau in Aotearoa New Zealand (Stats, 2018). However, only 23% of the Tokelau population in Aotearoa speak the language. Therefore, more than ever, it is important that we as a people plan for future generations and take action to revive and sustain our language.
According to UNESCO, the language is classified as severely endangered. There are few opportunities to learn the language in the community or through formal education in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, Gagana Tokelau has recently been approved as a new NCEA-accredited subject.
Activities and events are being hosted throughout Aotearoa to embrace Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – Tokelau Language Week.
Connect online by visiting the official NZ Tokelau Language Week Facebook page.
Enjoy all the Words and Phrases of the Day from Tokelau Language Week 2022 - Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau.
Te Gagana Tokelau Email Signature - 700x100 px (PNG) - [Download]
Te Gagana Tokelau computer desktop wallpaper - 1920x1080 px (PNG)- [Download]
A4 Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
A3 Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
A4 (blue template) Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
A4 (white template Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
A3 (blue template) Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
A3 (white template) Official Tokelau Language Week poster - (PDF) [Download]
Tokelau Language Cards - 6 pages, 250kb (PDF) - [Download]
Hello - informal greeting - (MP3) [Download]
Hello - formal greeting - (MP3) [Download]
Hello to more than one person - (MP3) [Download]
How are you? - (MP3) [Download]
Please - (MP3) [Download]
Thank you - (MP3) [Download]
Goodbye - (MP3) [Download]
Happy Tokelau Language Week - (MP3) [Download]
Happy Tokelau Language Week Theme - (MP3) [Download]
One file containing all resources, including:
(9.6 MB Zip file) - [Download]
| Event | Time | Venue |
Sunday 23 October |
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| Combined Lotu Service | TBC | Grey Lynn Presbyterian Church, 487 Great North Road, Grey Lynn |
Monday 24 October |
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| Flag Raising Ceremony | 9 am - 2 pm | Grey Lynn Presbyterian Church, 487 Great North Road, Grey Lynn |
Tuesday 25 October |
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| Talikilagi Nukunonu i Aukilani Inc | 11 am - 6 pm | Grey Lynn Presbyterian Church, 487 Great North Road, Grey Lynn |
Wednesday 26 October |
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| Aho o Ikahopo | 9 am - 3 pm | East Tamaki Hall, 244 East Tamaki Road |
Thursday 27 October |
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| Aho o Atafu | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | Grey Lynn Presbyterian Church, 487 Great North Road, Grey Lynn |
Friday 28 October |
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| Aho o Fakaofo | 9 am - 4 pm | Grey Lynn Presbyterian Church, 487 Great North Road, Grey Lynn |
Saturday 29 October |
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| Aho Fakatahiga Bring a picnic blanket as we will be eating outside on grassy area |
12 pm - 5:30 pm | Moana-Nui-a Kiwa Leisure Centre, 66R Mascot Avenue, Māngere |
| Event | Time | Venue |
Sunday 23 October |
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| Opening service by Uncle Vasa Service, Flag Raising, Tonai, Bible Reading, Prayer & Tauloto |
12 pm - 3 pm | Tongan Hall, 57 Pererika Street, Rotorua |
| Combined Service with Community | 4pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by whole community |
Monday 24 October |
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| Community meeting at Cemetery to clean graveyard of families | 10am | Taupo Cemetery Hosted by whole community |
Tuesday 25 October |
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Cooking at the Hall
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5.30 pm - 7.30 pm | Tongan Hall, 57 Pererika Street, Rotorua |
| Elders of the Community programme | 4pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by the Toeaina of the community |
Wednesday 26 October |
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Cooking at the Hall
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5.30 pm - 7.30 pm | Tongan Hall, 57 Pererika Street, Rotorua |
| Matua of the Community programme | 4pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by the Matua of the community |
Thursday 27 October |
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| Community activities | 4pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by whole community |
Friday 28 October |
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| Community activities | 4pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by whole community |
Saturday 29 October |
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Closing Service Sharing voices and resources, children's items, meakai, fatele, reflections |
11 am - 3 pm | Tongan Hall, 57 Pererika Street, Rotorua |
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Community fateles |
12pm | Taupo Tokelau Hall Hosted by whole community |
| Event | Time | Venue |
Sunday 23 October |
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| Opening Ceremony: Service, Flag Raising, Tonai, Fatele Song & Dance | 11 am - 4:30 pm | St Marks Presbyterian Church |
Tuesday 25 October |
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| Net Making & Weaving, Table Tennis, Dominoes & Cards, Fatele Song & Dance | 7:30 am - 1 pm | Camberley Community Centre, 703 Kiwi Street, Camberley, Hastings |
Thursday 27 October |
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| Polokalame / Activities Net Making & Weaving, Talatalanoa, Game & Sports, Song & Dance |
4:30 - 9:30 pm | Bridge Pa School, 42 Maraekakaho Road, Bridge Pa |
Friday 28 October |
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| Polokalame / Activities Net making & Weaving, Phrases & Words, Games & Sports, Song & Dance |
4:30 - 9:30 pm | Bridge Pa School, 42 Maraekakaho Road, Bridge Pa |
Saturday 29 October |
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| Tapuniga / Closing Games & Sports, Lunch, Fatele, Tukutukuga Fuka Tapunia |
10 am - 4pm | Bridge Pa School, 42 Maraekakaho Road, Bridge Pa |
| Event | Time | Venue/Host |
Sunday 23 October |
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| Official opening of Tokelau Language Week Lotu Followed by refreshments |
4pm | Pahina o Tokelau Church, Kivell Street, Porirua Hosted by Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group |
Monday 24 October |
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| Tugaki o Tokelau radio program | 12am-5am | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group |
| Official Raising of the Tokelau Flag Followed by refreshments |
10am | Matauala Hall, Bedford Street, Porirua Hosted by Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group |
| Pahina o Tokelau Church - Celebrations | 12pm | 13 Kivell Street, Ranui, Porirua Hosted by Pahina o Tokelau Church |
Tuesday 25 October |
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| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 12am-5am | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Fakaofo community |
| Official Raising of the Tokelau Flag Followed by refreshments at Pataka Art + Museum |
8am | Te Rauparaha Arena, Corner Norrie & Parumoana Streets, Porirua Hosted by Porirua City Council |
| Raising of the Tokelau Flag | 9am | Porirua College, Drivers Crescent, Porirua Hosted by Porirua College |
| Official Raising of the Tokelau Flag Followed by refreshments |
10am | Matiti Tokelau Akoga Kamata, 190 Naenae Road, Naenae Hosted by Matiti Tokelau Akoga Kamata |
Wednesday 26 October |
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| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 12am-5am | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Atafu community |
| Tokelau Culture & Language Activities | 9.30am | Saint Pius X School, Tuki Street, Tītahi Bay, Porirua Hosted by Saint Pius X School |
| Tokelau Culture and Language Activities | 10.00am | St Bernadette’s School Hall, 190 Naenae Road, Naenae Hosted by St Bernadette's School |
| Tokelau visit to Parliament for Pacific Languages | 11.30am | Hosted by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples |
| Book presentation from Winsome Parnell on her life living in Fakaofo | 12pm-12.55pm | 64 Drivers Crescent, Cannons Creek, Porirua Hosted by Porirua College |
Thursday 27 October |
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| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 12am-5am | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Nukunonu community |
| Tokelau Language week celebration | 12pm-3pm | Victoria University, Wellington Hosted by Te Namo - Victoria University Tokelau Students Association |
| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 1pm-2pm | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by He Tifa Ola |
| Tokelau Games & Activities | TBC | St. Bernadette’s School, 190 Naenae Road, Naenae Hosted by Matiti Tokelau Akoga Kamata |
| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 4pm-12am | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Tugaki o Tokelau |
| Tokelau Cultural Activities | TBC | Kaiga Fakaofo, 12 Matiu Place, Elsdon Hosted by Kaiga Fakaofo |
| 35-year Celebration of Matauala Hall & Omoe | TBC | Matauala Hall, 102 Bedford Street, Porirua Hosted by Atafu Tokelau Group |
| Tugaki o Tokelau program | 8pm-10pm | Tune into Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or www.accessradio.org.nz Hosted by Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group |
Friday 28 October |
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| Tokelau Cuisine | TBC | St. Bernadette’s School, 190 Naenae Road, Naenae Hosted by St. Bernadette’s School |
| End of Tokelau Language Fatale and celebrations | 12.30pm-3pm | Porirua College, 64 Drivers Crescent, Porirua Hosted by Porirua College |
| Ministry of Social Development & Oranga Tamariki Tokelau Language Week Celebrations | 1pm-4pm | Ministry of Social Development, Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, Wellington Hosted by Ministry of Social Development |
Saturday 29 October |
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| Launch of the Kaiga Tokelau Wellbeing Strategy Followed by Closing Ceremony with fatele and lowering of the Tokelau Flag |
10am-12pm | Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua Hosted by Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group |
| Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers Assn, NZ - Health Promotion | 10am-5pm | Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua Hosted by Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers Assn |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Tokelau Language Week preparations in 2021:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
Auckland Tokelau Society Incorporated (ATSI) |
Auckland |
10,950.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, dance and music |
|
Mafutaga a te Kaifenua Tokelau i Rotorua |
Rotorua |
5,000.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Mafutaga Tokelau i Manawatu (MTiM) |
Palmerston North |
6,500.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, cooking, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Matiti Tokelau Akoga Kamata |
Wellington |
5,000.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, and poems |
|
Nukunonu Tokelau Wellington Society Incorporated |
Wellington |
5,720.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
PACIFICA Inc. Wellington Central Branch |
Wellington |
3,000.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Taupo Tokelau Community |
Taupo |
9,469.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, intergenerational passing knowledge from Elders to young people, dance and music |
|
Te Kaiga Fakaofo I Ueligitone Inc |
Wellington |
3,500.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, dance and music |
|
Tokelau Community Christchurch |
Christchurch |
500.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through events |
|
Tokelau Hawkes Bay |
Napier |
2,000.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Victoria University Tokelau Student Association |
Wellington |
3,050.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Whaitu A Tokelau Dunedin |
Dunedin |
4,950.00 |
Te Gagana Tokelau |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, and storytelling |
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
