Reti reveals more Pacific language weeks to be added

More Pacific language weeks could be introduced, according to the Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.

And despite losing one third of their staff, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) says it is preserving its languages capability.

This news comes as the first Pacific language week for 2024, Rotuman Language Week, ends on Saturday, May 18.

Dr Reti was speaking with PMN News Political Reporter ‘Alakihihifo Vailala during the government’s Pacific tour to the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tuvalu. The delegation was also supposed to visit New Caledonia, but that leg of the trip was cancelled after civil unrest broke out in the French territory.

Dr Reti told PMN he’s been talking with MPP about “how and when we could introduce further language weeks”.

“We have introduced two new language weeks this year already and each introduction is a body of work. It's a programme to get it all together, choose the week so it doesn't clash, notify all the stakeholders.

“I don't have it in my work stream at the moment, but ... we'll see what the work stream for next year looks like,” he says.

Listen to the full interview with Dr Shane Reti below:

Solomon Islands Pidgin and Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin language weeks were introduced this year, bringing the total number to 11. Samoan Language Week is the next one to be celebrated from 26 May to 1 June.

Despite losing one third of its staff as part of the government’s programme of public sector cuts, MPP says it’s “preserving languages capability” in the new operational structure that will take effect from 1 July.

Responding to questions from the 531pi Pacific Mornings show, a Ministry spokesperson says the capability would be in the Ministry’s Commissioning and Partnerships, and Policy and Insights directorates.

“We will continue to have people who are responsible for engagement with communities for language weeks, with the language week series supported throughout the year,” the MPP spokesperson says.

While 14 roles are being disestablished from their existing Pacific Languages directorate, MPP says their new structure ensures languages work continues through other roles.

MPP will have three specialist roles in the Policy and Insights directorate – Chief Advisor Languages, Principal analyst Languages and Senior analyst Languages.

And 24 generalist roles in their Commissioning and Partnerships directorate will connect with providers and communities across the country. These roles will support engagement with Pacific communities on a range of Ministry initiatives, including languages implementation.

Earlier this month PMN reported that the Ministry's restructuring was going to result in the loss of 57 roles, 36 of which were vacant anyway, so only 21 people currently working at the Ministry will lose their jobs.

On Thursday morning, before information was known about the number of cuts to MPP’s Language directorate, Labour MP Tangi Utikere told Pacific Mornings he was concerned about reduced visibility and resourcing for language weeks if any funding was lost.

“When you strip that back and take that away, then there's going to be a lack of visibility around the fact that these language weeks are happening. There's going to be a lack of resources out in the community.

“I know that when you put information out there, when you promote it, then it's a much easier and comfortable way for people to give things a go.

“And so my fear is that with the rollback in this area, that schools, that communities - it's going to be just so much harder to be able to acknowledge and celebrate these unique languages,” he says.