Niuean Language Week 2017
Fakaalofa lahi atu! (Great greetings to you!) We are celebrating Niuean Language Week from 15–21 Oketopa (October).
Niuean Language Week provides us with an opportunity to celebrate all things Niuean, including music, song, dance, food, crafts and, of course, language.
The Niuean language is closely related to the Tongan language and also distantly related to Māori, Sāmoan, and Hawaiian.
In 2013, there were nearly 24,000 Niue people in New Zealand and 79 percent of those were born here.
Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Chief Executive Officer, Laulu Mac Leauanae says language weeks are of significant importance to our Pacific communities.
“Each language week reflects our Pacific identities and the complexities that identify each community’s uniqueness.”
It is important to help promote the Niue language (Vagahau Niue) by attending events and using the language wherever you go – in schools, workplaces and community groups.
This year, the Office of Pacific Advancement at AUT has created a series of videos that pair each Pacific language week with one of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
For Niue Language Week 2017 our staff and students share their thoughts and opinions on SDG#8: Decent Work & Economic Growth.
“Ko e fale gahua kua nakai lata ke haofia. Fakatatai oti e tau tagata gahua / We all deserve to work in places that are safe, equal and have access to opportunities,” says AUT Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences student, Rosannanova Kaufisi.
“Mitaki lahi e fale gahua ka moua e mahani mitaki, tututonu, fakalilifu ke fiafia e tau tagata ka gahua i ai / To me, a decent workplace is somewhere with equality, honesty and respect.”
AUT Bachelor of Business student, Angelitsa Nekelo says: “Ua fakanimo e aga motu mo e vagahau niue ke monuina ai na koe / Your language and culture will enhance your success.”
“Fakaako mo e hahamo tumau ha tautolu a taoga motu, tau aga motu, mo e vagahau niue / Invest in yourself through learning and education, but always carry your language, culture and your island with you.”
The aim of the video was to provide a platform for AUT staff and students to discuss SDG#8 while speaking their heritage language, Vagahau Niue. Some of the participants are not fluent speakers of Vagahau Niue, but this was an opportunity for them to reconnect with their culture and practice their language.
Follow the conversation on social media, using the hashtags #NiueLanguageWeek and #KoAuKoENiue. Join our conversation on Facebook, Twitter and visit the Pacific at AUT website for all you need to know about Niue Language Week 2017.