Talofa lava - it's Samoan Language Week in Aotearoa
The 2025 theme for Samoa Language Week is 'Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā - A well-grounded self, is a successful self'.
Photo:
Ministry of Pacific Peoples
Events are being held across Aotearoa this week to celebrate Gagana Samoa, the Samoan language.
The theme for 2025's Samoan Language Week is 'Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā", which means "A well-grounded self is a successful self".
After English and Te Reo Maori, Gagana Samoa is the third most spoken language in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is working alongside New Zealand Samoan communities to promote and support Samoan Language Week.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples, Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone said there is a lot of alofa (love) for Gagana Samoa.
"I encourage everyone to get involved - attend an event, learn from those around you, or simply take a moment to see how language continues to shape identity, connection, and pride," she said.
Samoan Language Week is one of 12 Pacific language weeks marked this year.
Rotuman was celebrated
the week of 11 May, and next is Kiribati Language Week, starting 6 July.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
38 minutes ago
- Scoop
Samoa Language Celebration ‘Like White Sunday'
Article – RNZ 'That's the most important thing – that you're normalizing being Samoan in the home.' Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist A student-led church service at Auckland's Papatoetoe High School celebrated the beginning of Samoan Language Week in Aotearoa. High school students have celebrated Samoan Language Week by showcasing their cultural heritage through Bible readings, prayers, singing, and dancing. Papatoetoe high school Samoan language teacher and dean, Timo Morisa, said the event was 'stellar'. 'It felt like I was in a white Sunday service,' he said. 'If you think about when our Samoan communities celebrate white Sunday – you've got the decorations, you've got the amazing performances, you've got the vibrance; we also had all this food that was prepared.' Morisa said it was 'bigger than just the importance of the service and the opening'. 'There are so many defining teaching points that we are handing over to the students that are coming,' he said. 'One of the other, just kind of side note things, was after the ceremony, kids were in the car park – like Manurewa kids and Papatoe kids and Alfreston kids, and they were just connecting and talking and chatting. And I think that relationship building is so important.' He said one of the chiefs of Samoan language in Aotearoa, Tauanu'u Tapu gave an emotional speech. 'He said: 'In 10 years and 20 years and 50 years, where will our language and our culture be? And it is our responsibility.' Secretary for Fotu o Malamalama Lemoa Henry Fesulua'i said parents shouldn't rely only on education systems. 'Most of the time your children are right in front of you,' he said. 'That's the most important thing – that you're normalizing being Samoan in the home, so when they do leave the home, there's other accessibility and support in schools and churches and in various communities.'
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Samoa Language Celebration ‘Like White Sunday'
Article – RNZ 'That's the most important thing – that you're normalizing being Samoan in the home.', RNZ Pacific Journalist A student-led church service at Auckland's Papatoetoe High School celebrated the beginning of Samoan Language Week in Aotearoa. High school students have celebrated Samoan Language Week by showcasing their cultural heritage through Bible readings, prayers, singing, and dancing. Papatoetoe high school Samoan language teacher and dean, Timo Morisa, said the event was 'stellar'. 'It felt like I was in a white Sunday service,' he said. 'If you think about when our Samoan communities celebrate white Sunday – you've got the decorations, you've got the amazing performances, you've got the vibrance; we also had all this food that was prepared.' Morisa said it was 'bigger than just the importance of the service and the opening'. 'There are so many defining teaching points that we are handing over to the students that are coming,' he said. 'One of the other, just kind of side note things, was after the ceremony, kids were in the car park – like Manurewa kids and Papatoe kids and Alfreston kids, and they were just connecting and talking and chatting. And I think that relationship building is so important.' He said one of the chiefs of Samoan language in Aotearoa, Tauanu'u Tapu gave an emotional speech. 'He said: 'In 10 years and 20 years and 50 years, where will our language and our culture be? And it is our responsibility.' Secretary for Fotu o Malamalama Lemoa Henry Fesulua'i said parents shouldn't rely only on education systems. 'Most of the time your children are right in front of you,' he said. 'That's the most important thing – that you're normalizing being Samoan in the home, so when they do leave the home, there's other accessibility and support in schools and churches and in various communities.'
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
NRL: Wounded NZ Warriors re-arrrange line-up to face Cronulla Sharks
Rocco Berry was forced from the field against Souths with a hamstring twinge. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Injury-plagued NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry has joined co-captain Mitch Barnett on the sidelines for their away game against Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again, with Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge that forced him from the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Berry has struggled to stay on the park for the Warriors after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury, withdrawing from his scheduled return against Wests Tigers with hamstring trouble, picking up a suspension in his eventual return against Melbourne Storm and then missing three more games with his dodgy hammy. He has managed just four appearances so far this campaign. Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench. Teenage sensation Leka Halasima has moved into the starting pack, where he has lined up in six of his 12 appearances this season. Without Barnett, Jackson Ford has been promoted from the bench to start in the front row. Meanwhile, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele also named. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18 Tom Alex, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Ali Leiataua, 23 Taine Tuaupiki Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20 Hopeha Puru, 21 Jayden Berrell, 22 Niwhai Puru Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
