Solomon Islands Pidgin celebrated across NZ: Academic says it links culture and community

As New Zealand marks Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week, Gordon Nanau, an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, is reflecting on why the language matters.

He says the weeklong celebration, which started on Monday, is also about communication, identity, culture, and community. Nanau grew up on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, in a village where "Pijin" was not commonly spoken.

“When I was a little boy, Pijin was only used when people went to Honiara, the capital, or met people from other islands,” he recalls in a university report. "Today, Pijin is widely spoken across the Solomon Islands and among Solomon Islanders living in New Zealand.

“For me, Pijin is not just a language. It is our story, our shared life, our voice. It connects families, communities, and generations. Language carries culture and identity, and it helps people feel they belong.”

Liana Sabetian, a young member of the Solomon Islands Auckland Wantok Association, says speaking Pijin every day helps her stay connected to her heritage.

“It’s a reminder of where I came from and shows how fun and expressive our language can be,” she says in a statement.

Families celebrate the start of Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week in Porirua with a flag‑raising ceremony. Photo/Porirua News

Nanau’s work at the University of Auckland ensures that Melanesian voices and Solomon Islands perspectives are included in Pacific studies.

He believes this is important for students of Solomon Islands heritage to see themselves reflected in education and research.

The Solomon Islands is located about 2000km northeast of New Zealand. It has a population of around 750,000 people, spread across its nine provinces.

Young people enjoy storytelling and cultural activities, helping keep Solomon Islands Pidgin alive for the next generation. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples

In Aotearoa, the Solomon Islands community is smaller but growing, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people of Solomon Islands heritage living mainly in Auckland and Wellington.

Across Aotearoa, communities are marking Language Week with events that celebrate language, culture, and identity.

Celebrations across New Zealand

From flag‑raising ceremonies and music performances to storytelling, workshops, and school activities, the week gives Solomon Islanders and the wider public a chance to connect with Pijin and honour the language’s role in keeping culture and community alive.

Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week runs from 23 to 29 November 2025 under the theme: “Protektim langguis an kalsa blong yumi - Protect our language and culture.”

Watch Trixy Teikaiho Ibnul, PMN Solomon Islands' producer, talk about the importance of Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week below.

PMN News earlier reported Gerardine Clifford‑Lidstone, Secretary for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, highlighting the importance of keeping Pijin visible and valued.

“When we make even small attempts to use Pijin, whether in a greeting, a song, or a conversation, we help protect the language and celebrate our culture.”

Communities across New Zealand are marking the week with a mix of events, including:

• Flag‑raising ceremonies, like the one in Porirua on Monday, brought together community leaders, families, and supporters to celebrate Solomon Islands' identity.

• Music and storytelling, including performances of traditional songs and modern Pijin compositions.

• Library and school activities, with displays, resources, and cultural workshops encouraging young Solomon Islanders to explore and preserve their language.

Earlier this month, children in MAPESA Community School in Honiara received story books handed over to them by Florence Curr, wife of NZ's High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands. Photo/Facebook/M&P LearningHub

Why it matters

For Solomon Islanders in New Zealand, Pijin is more than a way to communicate. It is a link to home, culture, and community.

Nanau says celebrations like this week remind people of the importance of keeping the language alive and passing it on to future generations.

“Language carries our story and our identity,” he says. “Protecting it ensures our culture, our community, and our connection to home continue for years to come.”

Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week ends on Saturday. More information, resources, and updates are available on the Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week webpage and the NZ Solomon Islands Language Week Facebook page.