Celebrating culture: Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa inspires New Zealand community

Talofa lava! It's Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa, Sāmoan Language Week, in Aotearoa New Zealand. The theme is ‘La malu lou sā, folau i lagimā’, which translates to ‘A well-grounded self is a successful self’.

The Komiti o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa (Sāmoa Language Week Committee) reveals that this year’s theme uses the metaphor of a well-crafted ocean vessel. Such a vessel is built carefully to ensure a safe and steady journey.

"When all parts are thoughtfully constructed, the vessel remains balanced, strong, and ready to face the open seas. Likewise, a well-grounded person is not easily shaken or defeated; they are firmly rooted and well-prepared."

Sāmoa is 3200 kilometres north of New Zealand, and more than 180,000 people in Aotearoa identify as Sāmoan, representing 3.9 per cent of the total population.

Gagana Sāmoa is the third most widely spoken language in New Zealand, and Sāmoan Language Week - the second of New Zealand's Pacific Languages Series - provides a platform for its preservation and promotion.

Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa is celebrated annually in June in New Zealand to promote the language and culture of the islands. This year, the celebrations run from 1 to 7 June, providing an opportunity to learn Sāmoan, celebrate the language, and share Sāmoan culture within communities and schools.

The aim is to promote and celebrate a vital part of Sāmoan identity and heritage. Events and activities during the week include learning basic Sāmoan phrases, sharing Sāmoan cultural traditions, and engaging with Sāmoan literature and stories.

Various resources, including those from educational institutions and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, are available online to support Sāmoan Language Week celebrations and learning.

Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti says the language week series continues to celebrate Aotearoa's diverse Pacific languages. He says the series has some exciting updates for 2025 and 2026, including the first-ever edition of Bislama, the national language of Vanuatu.

Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa, Sāmoan Language Week, is celebrated from 1-7 June. Photo/MPP

Reti encourages New Zealanders to embrace the Pacific language week celebrations.

“Last year, the Pacific language week series saw an incredible response, with thousands of New Zealanders participating in events and activities,” he says.

“From cultural performances and storytelling sessions to engaging social media campaigns viewed over 3 million times, the celebrations highlighted the powerful role language plays in connecting and inspiring communities.

While independence was achieved at the beginning of January, Sāmoans commemorate the event annually on 1 June.

On Sunday, Sāmoans across the world, including those in Aotearoa, marked 63 years of the country's self-rule with events held throughout the country.

Auckland libraries mark Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa with launch of new children’s book

To celebrate Sāmoan Language Week, Auckland Council Libraries and Oratia Books are launching a bilingual picture book.

Written by Sāmoan-New Zealand author Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata and illustrated by Māori artist Ani Huia Ligaliga, Alagā Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga mo Tamaiti Samoan Proverbs for Children features 30 Sāmoan proverbs vividly described, with translations and explanations in both Gagana Sāmoa and English.

Designed to introduce children to Samoa's rich cultural heritage, the book conveys proverbs that guide family life, leadership, education, and the environment through traditional Sāmoan storytelling.

Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli, who speaks Gagana Samoa fluently, states that the new book is an important step towards language preservation and accessibility.

Photo/Supplied/Auckland Council

“As a fluent speaker of Gagana Samoa, I understand how important it is to have resources like this available in our local libraries," Fuli says. “This book helps ensure the next generation of Kiwi-Samoans can continue to learn and speak our language with pride. Our Gagana and cultural stories are measina (treasures) - this book helps protect and pass them on.”

The launch of Alagā Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga mo Tamaiti also marks a major milestone in Auckland Council Libraries' ongoing commitment to nurturing the cultural identity of the city's diverse communities.

Catherine Leonard, the council’s Head of Library and Learning Services, says the team is excited to have this book as part of the Pacific collection, accessible to all Aucklanders.

“Our libraries and community centres are welcoming spaces where Pasifika families can see themselves, hear their language and feel at home. Books like this one are an important part of celebrating identity and building strong connections with our communities,” Leonard says.

The Centre for Pacific Languages is offering free language classes. Photo/Centre for Pacific Languages

Sitagata says that he wrote Alagā Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga mo Tamaiti to pass on timeless messages in a way that young readers could connect with.

“These proverbs or sayings reflect core Samoan values - self, family, community, and faith,” he says. “In this book, I’ve included proverbs that have guided our people for generations, such as 'E fa'alogo Mulimai ia Muamai' - the young must listen to the old and learn from the wisdom of ancestors. And 'E le o le fale, ae o le anofale' - it is not the house that is important, it is the people who live in the house.”

Alagā Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga mo Tamaiti is available for borrowing in hardcopy and e-book format from all Auckland Council Libraries. To reserve your copy, visit the Auckland Libraries website.

The book is also accompanied by a teaching resource, featuring simple activities for teachers and children to use together.