i-Kiribati push to save language for future generations

Kiribati communities across Aotearoa are celebrating Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week.

The theme for this year is ‘Eutakirakean ma kabwaekekean ara taetae ni Kiribati ma kateira ao rabakaura, bon maurin ao tokabetin te i-Kiribati - Thriving and flourishing our Kiribati language, culture, and knowledge build i-Kiribati resilience and prosperity’.

Just over 3000 i-Kiribati live in New Zealand and half of them speak the Tungaru which 20 per cent of those born here can speak while 24 per cent under the age of 15 speak the language.

Tungaru is the name given to the people of Kiribati by their ancestors. The Tungaru culture and language play a pivotal role in identity and well-being.

Watch Kiribati kaumatua Baitika Tehumu and Tamati Peni from Te Whatu Ora talk about what Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati means to them.

Kiribati kaumatua Baitika Tehumu says there is a push by the community groups across the motu to increase these numbers.

"We don't have records of our things but we store them in words, so all our knowledge and our work and our skills and things like that are all put in words," the cultural adviser told those gathered at the Tia Marae in Rangiuru, Te Puke, on Sunday.

"But that's the problem because as we pass things on verbally, sometimes those who have the knowledge pass away and those things don't remain with us.

"We are encouraging our people to have everything written down so we will be able to speak it and at the same time, it's written.

This year's Pacific Language Weeks are set to celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture.

Two new languages are included for the first time - Solomon Islands Pidgin and Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin. They join Rotuma, Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue, and Tokelau.

i-Kiribati at the Tia Marae in Rangiuru, Te Puke. Photo/Eroti Navuku

Minister for Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti, said Pacific languages played an important role in strengthening Pasifika's sense of identity and belonging.

"This, in turn, increases their confidence, educational outcomes, employability, and their ability to make strong contributions to their communities, and New Zealand.”

Running from May until November, the 11 Pacific Language Weeks focus on Rotuma, Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue, Tokelau, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the Pacific Language Week celebrations – they’re a great way to embrace the diversity of New Zealand communities,” Reti said.

There will also be celebrations for Kiribati Independence Day on Friday 12 July. The weeklong celebrations end on Saturday.

Next up on the NZ Language Weeks is ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language Week from 4-10 August.

Watch PMN Kiribati producer Charles Enoka's interview below.

The Kiribati and New Zealand flags on display at Te Puke. Photo/Eroti Navuku