Samoan language week

Making oka to celebrate Samoa Language Week

"I'm my Papa's namesake and we're similar in many ways. But I'm nowhere near the Michelin star chef that he is. Whether it's Christmas, or Easter - he's throwin' it down in the kitchen as I'm sure every Pacific family is for their to'ona'i. There's something about my Papa's cooking especially though, or maybe it's his charm that comes as the side dish, that draws in grumbling Samoan appetites all the time.

Savea brothers' Samoan language journey

Returning to the Hurricanes set-up this year ater spending a three year spell with Toulon in France, fan favourite and former All Blacks wing Savea said he's learning to speak Samoan in order to develop his connection with his culture.

Although his parents speak Samoan, Savea says speaking the language fluently will be new to him.

"Mum and Dad spoke to us quite a bit so we understood it but not in terms of speaking it fluently so hence I'm trying to learn it and be more fluent in that aspect of my life," he said.

Auckland Museum commemorates Samoan Language Week

This week the museum will be awash in red, white and blue.

Samoan Language Week - Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa, which delves into the rich and wonderful Samoan language and culture will end on Sunday.

During the week, the museum is sharing some Samoan items from its collections and videos to teach the public a few words and phrases.
 

 

Photo Auckland Museum Facebook 

     

Samoa Language Week theme is perfect for the Post-COVID-19 journey

He adds it will help the communities to prepare now for the journey ahead as New Zealand focuses on recovery plans and rebuilding New Zealand’s economy.

The theme for this year’s Samoan Language Week is, “Tapena sou ōso mo lau malaga”, or in English, “Prepare yourself a gift for your travels”.

“The theme is so appropriate for our times and I believe it will help Pacific peoples of Aotearoa focus on playing a leading and vital part in the Government’s plan of “Rebuilding Together,” says Aupito William Sio

Samoan Language Week kicks off in south Auckland

Finlayson Park Primary has a bilingual Samoan stream, as well as bilingual Māori, Tongan, and Kiribati streams, and those students will be leading the school through a week of activities celebrating the language. 

Maihi sees her multilingual school as an example to multilingual Auckland of how to respect and learn from other cultures.

Samoan Language Week focus on keeping youth connected

Samoan is the third most spoken language in New Zealand and Samoans make up the highest proportion of the Pasifika population in the country.

Many young Samoans are New Zealand-born, so an effort has been made this year to make sure they are aware, and connected to their heritage.

A range of events has held across the country to celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa or Samoan Language week.

Theme of kindness for Samoan Language Week

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

Samoan language highlighted in NZ this week

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa runs until Saturday and encourages all to give one or two Samoan phrases a go.

The Samoan population remains the largest among Pacific Islanders in New Zealand, about 48.7 per cent of Pasifika people identifying as Samoan in 2013, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Figures also showed 86,403 people in New Zealand could speak gagana Samoa that year and Samoan remains the second-most spoken language in Auckland and the third most-spoken language in New Zealand; after English and te reo Maori.

Gagana Samoa - a language of the future

“As well as a language that epitomises the ancient Samoan culture, gagana Samoa is also a language of the future,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

New resource for Samoan Language Week

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa: Samoan Language Week runs from Sunday May 29 until Saturday 4 June.

“The challenge for all of us during this language week is to find opportunities to use Gagana Samoa more in our community, churches and workplaces. We also need to keep using the language for rest of the year,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.