Vaka Tautua Celebrates Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa

Singing, feasting and a presentation on Samoan politics brought Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa (Samoan Language Week) to a close at Vaka Tautua Auckland in Manukau today.

The theme for this year is “Poupou le lotoifale, Ola manuia le anofale: Strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive” - something that resonates with Vaka Tautua and its staff. This week, Samoan staff shared their culture, language and history with their non-Samoan colleagues to help strengthen the posts. Samoan is the third most-spoken language in Aotearoa, behind English and Te Rēo Māori.

“Every day this vaiaso (week), we’ve been learning and using upu Samoa (Samoan words) and phrases… and learning pese Samoa (Samoan songs)… It’s been fun,” says Tongan Administration Assistant, Anna Naua.

“It’s been awesome to be immersed in our Samoan culture this week,” says Communications Coordinator, Gabby Patelesio.

“I have learnt more upu Samoa (Samoan words)… and have really enjoyed listening, and learning so much more about my culture.”

Vaka Tautua Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop, a proud Samoan, said the week could not pass-by without a talanoa (interactive discussion) on the hot topic of the moment, Samoan politics. She said many staff, particularly those who are not Samoan, do not understand is happening. Tongan Regional Manager, Kristina Sofele, found Dr Dunlop’s presentation on Samoan political situation interesting.

“We’ve been hearing bits and pieces on TV and the radio, but you don’t really get a sense of what’s happening or the “big picture” because it’s all disjointed,” says Ms Sofele.

 “Our CEO brought everything together… so we have a better understanding of what’s happening, the tension between the Western democratic ways and Samoan cultural, customary ways… and leaders not listening to the people… It was really interesting.”

Samoan Language Week in Aotearoa was founded in 2007 by Fa’alapotopotoga mo le A’oa’oina o le Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has been supporting Pacific Language Weeks since 2010, promoting and raising awareness of the diversity of our Pacific languages. There are now nine Pacific ethnic language weeks a year.

“Language is the key to the definition of our overall Pacific wellbeing,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. 

“Language is fundamental to providing Pacific peoples with an anchor to their identity, confidence, and safety as we navigate our way through the economic and social challenges ahead.”

Vaka Tautua is a national Pacific health and disability and social services provider with a strong regional presence in the greater Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury regions. It delivers disability, mental health, older peoples, social services, and financial capability services.

For all enquiries, please email: comms@vakatautua.co.nz