Hold fast to your cultural treasures – Samoan Language Week 2014
As New Zealanders prepare for Samoan Language Week 2014 Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy is encouraging
Aucklanders to have a go and take part.
“It’s fitting that the biggest Polynesian city on earth is celebrating the Samoan language in style with a huge range of
events planned. Samoan remains the second most spoken language in Auckland,” said Dame Susan.
“This year’s theme ‘Taofi mau i au measina’ means hold fast to your treasures. It’s a beautiful way of remembering that
we have entire generations of Samoan New Zealanders who are doing just that, holding fast to their cultural treasures. I
hope all Kiwis have a go at Samoan this week.”
Samoan Language Week is on from the 25-31 May with events taking place across the country.
“Lectures, debates, plays, school celebrations, ukulele lessons, story telling and dance – there’s a huge variety of
activities to choose from. Auckland City Libraries have “gone all out with events taking place in nearly every library,”
said Dame Susan.
Samoan people make up nearly half of New Zealand’s Pasifika population and Samoan is the third most commonly spoken
language in New Zealand.
The Human Rights Commission and FAGASA (the Association for the Teaching of Samoa in Aotearoa) has led the promotion of
Samoan language week and associated activities. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs is working with government
agencies to encourage the celebration of Samoan language and distribute information across the public sector.
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