Samoan language in the spotlight

NEW ZEALAND – Samoans in New Zealand are celebrating their culture and identity as part of annual efforts to encourage more people to be bilingual.

Samoan Language Week began on Monday with an evening church service in Auckland organised by FAGASA, a group established 25 years ago to support Samoan language learning in New Zealand.

Kindness is the resounding theme for this year’s Samoan Language Week, which celebrates the third-most spoken language in New Zealand.

The Minister of Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, said he hoped this year more people would take part in the Samoan language and cultural celebrations nationwide.

Alofa atu nei, alofa mai taeao is this year’s theme meaning “kindness given, is kindness received”, Aupito said.

“It’s based on the principle of reciprocation where Samoans show compassion towards one another.

“Kindness begets kindness – and I think that is a reminder that we are all connected as peoples of New Zealand, peoples of the Pacific region,” he said.

“Our language is key to our Samoan identity and the protection and preservation of our values and traditions.

“It is vital our language continues to be used by New Zealand-born Samoans and that it is passed onto the next generation.’’ - PNC