Rotuma kicks off New Zealand language series

Noa'ia e mauri! It's Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta, Rotuman Language Week.

The first Pacific language celebration in Aotearoa this year makes clear that culture is key to the well-being of all Pasifika, organisers say.

Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta was launched across the motu yesterday, with ceremonies honouring women on Mother's Day (Teran 'on 'Ohoni).

Watch the opening of Rotuman Language Week: Prayer from Fekau (reverend) George Aptinko and a message from the national chair, NZ Rotuman Fellowship Incorporated, Lorena Kulatea-Viki.

Regional unity and the contributions of Pacific communities to Aotearoa culture are also being celebrated this year, the government said.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti said Pacific languages played an important role in strengthening the people'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.

"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," he said.

Running from May until November, the overarching theme of the language series is sustainability, aligning with UNESCO's long-term vision to protect indigenous languages worldwide.

The 2018 Statistics NZ data showed 381,642 or eight per cent of the total population were Pacific Islanders - up from 7.4 per cent in 2013.

However, only 37 per cent of Pasifika in Aotearoa could speak their language.

Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group sing 'Atumotu Helava La Kele (Beautiful Island) at the Kingsland Trinity Methodist Church on Sunday.

The Census also showed the proportion of speakers of the Cook Islands, Niuean, Tokelauan, Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, and Tuvaluan languages has decreased over time since 2001.

Fäeag Rotuạm Ta is distinct from other Pacific languages with only about 15,000 speakers in the world. There are fewer than 1000 Rotumans in New Zealand and only one-third of them can fäeag Rotųam.

Rotuma is a Fijian dependency of tiny islands about 650km northwest of Suva.

While fewer than 2000 people live on the island, there are 10,000 Rotumans in Fiji with thousands more around the world.

In Aotearoa, the Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group held a church service to mark the weeklong celebrations at the Kingsland Trinity Methodist Church on Sunday.

Following the popular song, 'Atumotu Helava La Kele (Beautiful Island), the group shared lunch.

This year's theme for Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta is Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua (Sustaining our Language and Culture).

Language is one of the pillars of any people's identity, one organiser told PMN News.

"Pacific languages, cultures, and identity are essential to the health, well-being, and lifetime success of Pacific peoples and their communities in Aotearoa and this year Rotumans paid tribute to the mothers at the launch of their language week."

On Monday, Rotumans also celebrate 143 years of the island's cession to Queen Victoria.

Rotuma became part of the British colony of Fiji on 13 May 1881 and after Fiji became independent in 1970, Rotuma remained a Fijian dependency.

Rotuman Language Week ends on Saturday.

Next in the series of New Zealand Pacific Language Weeks is Vaiaso O Le Gagana Samoa from Sunday 26 May to Saturday 1 June which coincides with the island's 62 years as an independent state this year.

This year marks the first time there will be a Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Pidgin or Tok Pisin language weeks.

Rotuman phrases you can learn this week. Photo/supplied

NZ Pacific Language Weeks 2024

• Rotuma 12-18 May

• Samoa 26 May-1 June

• Kiribati 7-13 July

• Cook Islands 4-10 August

• Tonga 18-24 August

• Tuvalu 29 September-5 October

• Fiji 6-12 October

• Niue 13-19 October

• Tokelau 27 October-2 November

• Papua New Guinea 10-16 November

• Solomon Islands 24-30 November

Visit the MPP website for more information and language resources: https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes/pacific-language-weeks/