Tongan Language Week spreads Pacific culture

  • 31/08/2015
Tongan Language Week spreads Pacific culture

A week-long celebration of the Tongan language is underway, with numerous events taking place around the country aimed at educating people about the country's culture.

Pacific Peoples Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga launched the week last night in Auckland.

The week's theme is Fakakoloa 'o Aotearoa 'aki 'a e faiva 'a e Tonga – Enriching Aotearoa with our Tongan Arts.

"The theme is relevant in ensuring the preservation of all our Pacific languages through our arts and keeping them alive," says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

The week follows Maori Language week, which ended earlier this month and is one of seven Pacific language weeks taking place this year, starting with Samoan Language Week in May and ending with Tokelau Language Week in October.

More than 60,000 people in New Zealand identify as being Tongan, making them the third-largest Pacific group in the country.

Tongan Language Week wraps up September 5.

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