The theme for Uike Lea Faka-Tonga 2023 is 'E tu'uloa 'a e Lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá, which means the Tongan Language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community.
The word TU’ULOA in the theme has a positive and progressive connotation and means to continuously grow, nurture, and sustain a valued idea, practice, event, or memory in an enduring way.
This year's theme focused on the importance of using lea faka-Tonga. It impressed on us the need not only to understand lea Faka-Tonga, but to also use it as much as possible at home, church and wider community. When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Tongan.
Bookmark this page to see the Calendar of Events when published. Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Tonga Language Week Facebook page.
Uike Lea Faka-Tonga 2023 video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa Tongan Community for Tonga Language Week 2023.
Check them out on YouTube here
Tonga Language Cards - 6-page PDF
Official Tonga Language Week posters (PDF)
Email signatures:
Backgrounds:
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|
Date |
Event |
Time |
Venue |
Host |
|
Sunday 3 August |
‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Southern Region |
1pm |
St Saviour’s & St Nicholas Anglican Church, 231 Barrington Street, Somerfield, Christchurch |
Finau Fakapelea (Southern Region Youth Lead) |
|
Sunday 3 August |
Pōlotu Fakaava ‘o e Uike Lea Faka-Tonga ‘a e ngaahi ako ‘i Aotearoa – Opening Ceremony |
2pm - 4pm |
Lesieli Tonga- Auditorium, 143 Favona Rd, Māngere, Auckland |
Tolutoluhama |
|
Sunday 3 August |
Malanga Fakatahataha Fakaava 'a e kau faiako |
5.30pm |
Tokaima'ananga Ōtara, 3 Ormiston Road, Ōtara, Auckland |
Akoteu Tonga (Tongan ECE Teachers) |
|
Sunday 3 August |
Tongan Interfaith Community Musical Devotional |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington, Auckland |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
|
Sunday 3 August |
Po Hiva (A night of traditional Tongan Christian songs) |
6pm - 7.30pm |
Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld Street, St Kilda, Dunedin |
Dunedin Tongan Community Inc. |
|
Sunday 3 August |
‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Northern Region |
6pm |
Selusalema Church, 290 Massey Road, Māngere East, Auckland |
Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) |
|
Sunday 3 August |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 6 – Northern Region |
Online |
Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
|
Sunday 3 August |
‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Central Region |
Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt |
Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) | |
|
Monday 4 September |
Talanoa Fananga moe Lautohi Fakatonga |
|
Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland |
Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE |
|
Monday 4 September |
Community Opening Ceremony |
|
Glen Innes Library, 108 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes |
| Monday 4 September | Market Day |
Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Load, Glen Innes, Auckland |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes |
|
| Monday 4 September | ‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 5 – Northern Region | Online | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
| Monday 4 September | #au ATTĀ TALATALANOA TAHA- Why is “Fa Kavei Koula " Four Golden Tongan Pillars" fundamental to sustaining the Tongan lea FakaTonga and how is it implemented in Aotearoa? | 7pm - 8.30pm | Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 | Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association |
| Monday 4 September | ‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region | 8pm |
Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt |
Solomone Tuiano(Central Region Youth Lead) |
| Monday 4 September | Hiva moe Tau'olunga FakaTonga - Ngaahi Teunga Tau'olunga, Tui kakala, Toli kakala |
Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland |
Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE | |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
#auATTĀ TALATALANOA UA - “Ko 'Api ko e uluaki apiako ia” Home is the First School. Therefore, how can our Tongan homes support & encourage Lea FakaTonga? |
7pm - 8.30pm | Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 | Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
Tui Kakala Workshop 1 | 5pm - 7pm | Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland | Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
Tongan Storytime & Celebration | Panmure Library, 7/13 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland | Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
Tongan Sewing, Arts and Crafts | Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland | Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 4 – Northern Region | Online | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region | 8pm |
Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt |
Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) |
|
Tuesday 5 September |
‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Dunedin Branch | 5pm |
44 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda, Dunedin |
Sione Taufa (Dunedin Youth Lead) |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
'Aati Fakatonga. Ngatu Day - Taa Kupesi, Vali Ngatu, Tohi Ngatu, Pelu Ngatu | Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland | Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE | |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
Po Fehu’I Night – Quiz Night. Test how well you know the Tongan Language |
Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld Street, St Kilda, Dunedin |
Dunedin Tongan Community Inc. | |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
#auATTĀ TALATALANOA TOLU - Faka'ake'ake Mo'ui Lotolu– Sino, Atamai mo e Laumalie- Raising awareness of trichotomy- Body Mind & Spirit. What does this look like for various Tongan denominations in Aotearoa? | 7pm - 8.30pm |
Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 |
Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
Senior International Day (Tongan) |
Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Ōtara, Auckland |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
Tongan Wriggle and Rhymes |
Panmure Library, 7/13 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland |
Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 3 – Northern Region |
Online |
Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
|
Wednesday 6 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region | 8pm |
Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt |
Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) |
|
Thursday 7 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 2 – Northern Region | Online | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
|
Thursday 7 September |
#auATTA TALATALANOA FĀ - Nofo 'a Kainga Tonga I Aotearoa- The wider Tongan community. How can Tongana living in Aotearoa nurture Tauhi Vā through talanoa and networking. | 7pm - 8.30pm | Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 | Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association |
|
Thursday 7 September |
Ngaahi kiekie moe ta'ovala day - tui e ngaahi ta'ovala kehekehe | Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland | Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE | |
|
Thursday 7 September |
Kupesi Making Workshop |
Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland |
||
|
Thursday 7 September |
‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region | 8pm |
Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt |
Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) |
| Friday 8 September | Tongan Storytime | Glen Innes Library, 108 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland | Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
| Friday 8 September | Kahoa Making Workshop | Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland | Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
| Friday 8 September | ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Northern Region | 8pm | ‘Anitioke Hall, 290 Massey Road, Māngere East, Auckland | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) |
| Friday 8 September | ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Northern Region | Online | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
| Friday 8 September | ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Central Region | 8pm | Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt | Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) |
| Friday 8 September | #auATTA TALATALANOA NIMA - Q & A Responsive to the Tongan Gen X & Millennial participants further questions during the week. Plus 'A'AHI of the Learning during the TLW 2023 #auATTĀ TALATALANOA sessions. | 7pm - 8.30pm | Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 | #auATTA Facilitator |
| Saturday 9 September | ‘Ēseli Faiva Day – Northern Region | ‘Anitioke Hall, 290 Massey Rd, Māngere East, Auckland | Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) | |
| Saturday 9 September | Closing Ceremony, Po Hiva Kakala & Kava Night Tongan Communities Groups |
Panmure Community Hall, 7-13 Pilkington Rd, Panmure, Auckland | Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes | |
| Saturday 9 September | ‘Ēseli ‘Otai Challenge & Faiva Day – Central Region | Fakaakeake Mo’ui Hall, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt | Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead) |
|
| Saturday 9 September | ‘Ēseli Faiva Day – Southern Region | 12pm - 3pm | Mohoao Room, Halswell Library, 341 Halswell Rd, Halswell, Christchurch | Finau Fakapelea (Southern Region Youth Lead) |
| Saturday 9 September | ‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Gisborne/Hastings Branch | 10am | 231 Crawford Rd, Kaiti, Gisborne | Tavalu Hopoi (Gisborne Youth Lead) |
| Saturday 9 September | ‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Levin/Palmerston North Branch | Samisoni Tonu (Levin Youth Lead) | ||
| Saturday 9 September | #auATTA A'ahi will be a FAKAMUNA 'AONGA - CREATIVITY WITH PURPOSE Centres: 1. Auckland 2. Katikati/Hawkes Bay 3. Southland- Invercargill |
Auckland: Lotofale'ia, 30-34 Orly Ave, Māngere Katikati/Hawkes Bay: Online Zoom meeting ID 827 9693 9746 Password 494958 |
#auATTA Facilitator | |
| Saturday 9 September | Po Faiva – A night of traditional Tongan dances performed by the community | Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld St, St Kilda, Dunedin | Dunedin Tongan Language Community Inc. |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Tonga Language Week preparations in 2022:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
Ēseli 'o e To'utupu Trust |
National |
12,300.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through arts and crafts, digital/online learning, music, oratory, and traditional dance |
|
Malia Tupou's Arts and Culture Incorporated |
Wellington |
5,050.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through traditional dance, digital/online learning and arts and crafts |
|
Makatu'unga he 'Ofa Tongan Community Wellington Incorporated |
Wellington |
4,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through arts and crafts, music, and community awareness events |
|
Kakala Malie Incorporated Society |
Auckland |
4,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through arts and crafts and traditional dance |
|
Dunedin Tongan Community Incorporated |
Dunedin |
4,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through arts and crafts, oratory, music and traditional dance |
|
Fine Tonga oku hala i he Kolo Mahanga |
Hastings |
4,500.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through dance, music, arts and crafts, language learning in a home environment and in the workplace |
|
Ha'ape Mata Mei Langi 'o Glen Innes |
Auckland |
2,700.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through community awareness events, arts and crafts, traditional dance, oratory, music, and digital/online learning |
|
Kilikali Youth |
Dunedin |
1,000.00 |
Lea Faka Tonga |
Language learning through oratory and music |
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 |