This year’s theme for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week - is: Ke Tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tonga 'i Aotearoa, which means Sustaining the Tonga Language in Aotearoa.
Ke Tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tönga′ 'i Aotearoa has a positive and progressive connotation. To support the overarching Language Weeks theme of Sustainability, the word TU'ULOA in the theme this year means to continuously grow, nurture, and sustain a valued idea, practice, event, or memory in an enduring way.
In his acknowledgement of Tonga Language Week, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio urges Tongans everywhere to embrace Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga, to help stop the decline in its use by the New Zealand born Tongan population.
Activities and events will be hosted throughout Aotearoa, to embrace Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga. Given the success of Tongan Language Week online last year, some community groups are planning to deliver their initiatives online, while the majority will be face-to-face. Many of the initiatives this year continue to focus on youth and the passing of cultural knowledge from the elders to young people.
Bookmark this page to see the Calendar of Events when published. Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Tonga Language Week Facebook page.
Enjoy all our phrases of the day from Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week 2022.
Tonga Language Week Email signature - 700x100 px (PNG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week computer desktop wallpaper - 1920x1080 px (PNG)- [Download]
Tonga Language Card - 6 pages, 180kb (PDF) - [Download]
(MP3) - Download one audio file, containing these simple greetings and phrases:
Tonga Language Week Web banner (theme) - 1200 x 628 px (JPG) [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner (blank) - 1200 x 628 px (JPG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner with girl - 1920 x 1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner theme - 1920 x 1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner (blank) - 1920 x 1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner (theme) - 2400 x 800 px (JPG) - [Download]
Tonga Language Week Web banner (blank) - 2400 x 800 px (JPG) - [Download]
Square Tonga Language Week 2022 tile (theme) - 1080x1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Square Tonga Language Week 2022 tile (blank) - 1080x1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Rectangular Tonga Language Week 2022 tile (theme) - 1200x628 px (JPG) - [Download]
Rectangular Tonga Language Week 2022 tile (blank) - 1200x628 px (JPG) - [Download]
Rectangular Tonga Language Week 2022 tile - 1920x1080 px (JPG) - [Download]
Facebook banner Tonga Language Week 2022 - 851x315 px (JPG) - [Download]
Instagram Tonga Language Week 2022 Story tile - 1080x1920 px (JPG) - [Download]
One file containing all resources, including:
(6 MB Zip file) - [Download]
Date |
Event |
Venue & Time |
Host |
Sāpate, 4 September 2022 |
Lotu fakaava ‘o e Uike′: Tīkoni Falanisesi Hafoka Kaveinga lotu - Folofola |
6am Tongan Methodist Church, |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Thanksgiving service & the Launching of the Tongan Language Week for schools in Aotearoa |
2pm Otahuhu College, 74-78 Mangere Road, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland. |
Tolutoluhama NZSTLA |
|
Flag raising and opening ceremony |
3 pm Hasting Council |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Kolo Mahanga |
|
Pōhiva & Lea Faka-Tonga |
5pm Burns Hall Dunedin |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Pōlotu |
5pm -8pm FWC Church, 11 Otipuna Rd, Timaru |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Talanoa ma’ae fanau′, Veesi lauloto, Hiva, Fakahā vala lotu, Kuki |
6pm
|
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Pōlotu/ Pōhiva |
6pm-8pm 39 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Pōhiva & Speeches |
7pm Selusalema - Māngere Branch |
Ēseli ‘o e To’utupu Trust |
|
Lotu fāmili: Hoa e Faifekau′ Toakase Taufa |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
Mōnite 5 September 2022 |
Lotu |
5:30am Online |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Online Challenge Fakafe‘ilo’aki Greetings |
Online |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Online Intro Video, Kids to recite old/New Testament in order in Tongan, as well as key verses from the bible |
Online |
Ēseli ‘o e To’utupu Trust |
|
Tongan Language Week Celebration in 18 Schools throughout the week |
|
Tolutoluhama NZSTLA |
|
Opening Ceremony |
10am-2pm Glen Innes Library |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
11:30 am Talbot Park Nurses |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Ipu Kava |
12pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
1:30 pm Temuka Primary Yr 0-6 |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Talanoa Tupu’a moe Fananga |
9:30am Akoteu Kato kakala, 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
Kakala Malie Incorporated Society |
|
Speech Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools Competition |
6pm St Peter Chanel Church Hall, Hasting |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Kolo Mahanga |
|
Lotu, Family show- traditional attires & ta’ovala, veesi lauloto, songs and a proverb, speech & supper |
6pm-9pm St Patrick Primary Hall, Kilbirnie, Wellington |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington |
|
Lea Faka-Tonga event |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Impromptu Speech Night |
7pm 44 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda, Dunedin |
Kilikali Youth |
Tūsite 6 September 2022 |
Lotu |
5:30am |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Online Quiz Night, Recite bible stories in Tongan by memory Wednesday - Online Himi Competition |
Online |
Ēseli ‘o e To’utupu Trust |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
8:30am OT |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
9:30 am Oceanview Heights |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Faiva mo e hiva kātonga |
9:30am Akoteu Kato kakala, 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
Kakala Malie Incorporated Society |
|
Tohi Ngatu |
10am-2pm Glen Innes Community Hall |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Art Workshop |
10am-2pm Te Oro |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
10:30-11am Roncalli College, Year 9-13 |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
11:30 am Rural Scholars, Waimate |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Placemats |
12pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
1:30pm Sacred Heart Primary, Year 0-8 |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Cultural Expo & Skills Workshop |
11am-7pm University of Otago |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Ako Faiva |
1-2:30pm St Francis Xavier Primary School (Tawa) |
Malia Tupou Arts & Culture Inc |
|
Tongan Arts & Crafts |
6pm St Peter Chanel Church Hall, Hastings |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Kolo Mahanga |
|
Tongan quiz for Kids |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
Pulelulu 7 September 2022 |
Lotu |
5:30am Online |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Online Himi Competition |
Online |
Ēseli ‘o e To’utupu Trust |
|
Online Challenge Maau & Proverbs |
Online |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
8:30am Timaru Girls High School |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Story Time |
10am-11am Glen Innes Community Hall |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
10am Learning Barn |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Craft and sei making
|
11am-1pm Glen Innes Community Hall |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
10:30 am Glenview Kindergarten |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Ear-ring holders or candle |
12pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
1:30 pm Westend Kindergarten |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
2pm Timaru Christian School |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Ta’ovala Faka-Tonga |
9:30 am Akoteu Kato kakala, 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
Kakala Malie Incorporated Society |
|
Teaching & making monomono (batch work) in Tongan by Ane Nanasi Pau’u Pahulu Exhibition. |
12pm-1pm Toi Poneke Art gallery centre, 61/69 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington |
|
Ako Faiva |
1-2:30pm Scott College |
Malia Tupou Arts & Culture Inc |
|
Crafts with children |
4pm-5pm Crafts with children |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Sports in Tongan |
7pm 44 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda, Dunedin |
Kilikali Youth |
|
Speech Competition |
6pm-8pm Speech Competition - Salvation Army Kilbirnie |
Malia Tupou Arts & Culture Inc |
|
Quiz Night |
6pm |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Kolo Mahanga |
|
Food presentation |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
Tu'apulelulu 8 September 2022 |
Lotu |
5:30am Online |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Phrases, proverbs or Tongan words for their show he Uike Lea Faka-Tonga.
|
6am-7am Access Radio program - Half an hour slot on Yalo I Viti (Spirit of Fiji) Radio program. (TBC) |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington |
|
Online Tongan Chef Competition |
Online |
Ēseli ‘o e To’utupu Trust |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
9 am Bluestone - Years 0-4 |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Weaving: kiekie, kafa, kahoa |
12pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Gardening |
11am-12pm Glen Innes Library |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Lālanga mo e koka’anga |
9:30am Akoteu Kato kakala, 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
|
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
11 am Kids at Play Preschool |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Lea faka-Tonga Workshop |
5:30 pm-7:30pm TBC |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Crafting |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Pōhiva (Music (night |
TBC |
Kilikali Youth Dunedin |
|
Tongan Speech Competition/Cultural performances |
6pm Salvation Army Kilbirnie Wellington |
|
Arts and Crafts - ngāue 'fakamea'a |
6pm Hastings |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Kolo Mahanga |
|
Falaite 9 September 2022 |
Lotu |
5:30am Online |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Online Hiva (Singing) Challenge |
Online |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
9 am Grantlea Downs |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
10am Highfield School |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
11:15am-11:45am Waimataitai School |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Market Day 11am – 12pm |
11am-2pm Between Te Oro and Glen Innes Library |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Kātoanga Ma’u Me’atokoni |
9:30am Akoteu Kato Kakala 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
Kakala Malie Incorporated Society |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
1pm Women’s Refuge |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Kātoanga ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako′ & Talanoa mo ha ngaahi ‘api ngāue′ (Celebrations around Schools & Talanoa with some workplaces |
1:50 pm Timaru Boys High School |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Tongan Costumes Ball. Foods & Crafts demonstrations.Traditional Dances & Hulohula |
6pm -11pm Siasi Mamonga Hall (Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, 51 Ngatitoa Street, Porirua (way to Titahi Bay) |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington |
|
Pōhiva |
7pm 44 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda, Dunedin |
Kilikali Youth |
|
Teunga vala faiva faka-Tonga |
7pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
Tokonaki 10 September 2022 |
Lotu -Tīkoni |
5:30am Online |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Tāpuni ‘o e Uike Tonga′ – Closing of the Tongan Language Week 2022 Celebration |
9:30am Akoteu Kato kakala - 210 Bairds Road, Otara, Auckland |
|
|
Fun Day for families & children’s activities, colouring, crafting - mat with wool’s & Kako weaving with flax, tapa painting, Chop suey tastings. |
11:30-2pm St Patrick Primary Hall |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington |
|
Faka’ali’ali ngoue, tō ‘akau |
12pm 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
|
Closing Ceremony Faiva/Foaki pale (A showcase of different Tongan performances by the hosting committee and local schools, followed by Prizegiving) |
1pm |
Fine Tonga Oku Hala i Koko Mahanga |
|
Tonga Touch NZ |
2pm – 4pm Sturges Park |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi ‘o Glen Innes |
|
Faiva Showcase |
3pm-6pm Carisbrook School Hall Dunedin |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
Otago Tongan Studeents Association 10th Anniversary Celebration Ball |
7.30-11.30pm Otago Museum |
Dunedin Tongan Community |
|
|
Fiefia Night |
6pm TBHS Hall |
Tongan Society South Canterbury |
|
Lotu Fakafāmili mo tāpuni e uike′ – Faifekau Tisileli Taufa |
8pm - 88 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Kalasi’aho Koinonia |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Tonga Language Week preparations in 2021:
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
Christchurch Tongan Youth Council Christchurch |
3,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance, quiz and music |
|
Ēseli Youth |
Dunedin |
3,700.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices and oratory |
Fine Tonga oku haka i he kolo mahanga |
Hastings |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Fofo'anga o Aotearoa Incorporated Society |
Auckland |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, kava ceremony and storytelling |
Fonu Moe Moa Aotearoa Society Incorporated |
Auckland |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling and intergenerational passing of knowledge from Elders to Youth |
Haape Mata Mei Langi o Glen Innes |
Auckland |
3,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Kakala Malie Inc Society |
Auckland |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, and storytelling |
Kalapu Maileua Charitable Trust |
Auckland |
2,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, cooking storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Kalasi’aho Famili Koinonia |
Auckland |
1,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, weaving, arts and craft, dance and music |
Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington Incorporated |
Wellington |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling and intergenerational passing of knowledge from Elders to Youth |
Malia Tupuimakulata Choir |
Christchurch |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
New Zealand Tongan Tertiary Student association |
Auckland |
3,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning competition |
Otago Tongan Students' Association (OTSA) |
Dunedin |
3,200.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Palataisi Tongan Childrens Trust |
Invercargill |
3,700.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Taulama Lea FakaTonga Services Ltd |
Auckland |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, music and through church activities |
Tongan Society South Canterbury Inc |
Timaru |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory and storytelling |
Victoria University of Wellington Tongan Students' Association |
Wellington |
3,250.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
Waikato Tongan Community Charity Trust |
Hamilton |
3,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling |
Wellington Tongan Leaders Council |
Wellington |
5,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
The Language Champion Honours is a new initiative which has been introduced as part of the Pacific Language Weeks series 2021.
The Pale Fakalāngilangi ‘oe ‘Unuaki Fonua recognise our language advocates from the Tongan community who have been acknowledged as role models for language revitalisation and preservation of Lea faka-Tonga in Aotearoa.
Recipients:
Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau
Kolovula Murphy
Sefita Hao’uli
Komiti Ngaaue ‘a e Ta’u & Uike ‘o e lea faka-Tonga ‘i Aotearoa (Language Year and Week Committee)