Pacific language videos: Niue
The language of Niue is this week being celebrated in Aotearoa. In acknowledgement, AUT has launched a Niuean instalment of its Pacific language video series – Adapting to a changing world, shaping resilient futures.
Narrated in Vagahau Niue (with English subtitles) by a 19-year-old speaking to their friend, the video puts the spotlight on recent research by the AUT Pacific Islands Families Study on the respiratory system and lung function in early life.
PIFS Director, Associate Professor El-Shadan Tautolo says a critical finding was that one third of the 470 participants in the study had undiagnosed problems with their sleep.
“This includes O.S.A or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea —where your breathing stops for brief moments while you are sleeping,” he says.
“The impacts of this are huge — it affects sleep quality, it can cause daytime sleepiness, affect your work, increase accidents, and cause a number of heart problems.
“The impacts on children are significant too as it can hinder their overall development, behaviour and learning.
“We need to improve awareness of adequate sleep and sleep disorders as a critical determinant for our overall health and wellbeing, and recognise the need for strategies which improve sleep-related health,” Associate Professor Tautolo says.
Watch the video here.
Next release date
- Tokelau – Sunday, October 25
To watch the next video as it is launched, and videos for the other language weeks, follow the Pacific at AUT Facebook page or follow on YouTube.