Aotearoa's i-Kiribati community honours language and culture

Thousands of i-Kiribati people across Aotearoa New Zealand are celebrating their rich language and culture during Kiribati Language Week, which is now in its fifth year.

The celebrations kicked off on Sunday in Wellington at Pataka Art and Museum, with community members joining together, including officials from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, the New Zealand Kiribati National Council - Maneaban Te I Tungaru Society, and the Tuvalu government.

This year's theme encourages everyone to embrace and respect their cultural practices, highlighting how this fosters dignity and a brighter future: Maiuakinan te katei ri nanon te tangira ma te ikarinerine bon wantongan te mwenga ibukin te rikirake.

Kiribati, an island nation located about 4700 kilometres north of New Zealand, has a population of 130,000 residents. In New Zealand, there are nearly 4000 people of Kiribati descent.

At the launch event, Tuvalu's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Feue Tipu, shared heartfelt memories of his childhood in Kiribati.

He was honoured to participate in the celebration. He urged i-Kiribati to keep their cultural identities alive, especially in a new environment where it's easy to lose touch with one's roots.

He encouraged parents to instil pride in their heritage and to help their children learn the Kiribati language and culture. He says the event is a reminder not only of personal histories but also of the collective responsibility to nurture their cultural legacy.

"I grew up in Kiribati when I was young. I went to Tarawa to attend secondary school for five years, and then I went to Fiji for a scholarship. In Kiribati, I started working with Fijians," he says.

"I learned a lot from them. I need to pay my respects to these old people who have navigated life and work. I thank you, too, for being courageous enough to host this event."

He says this year's theme aligns with Kiribati's valued cultural practices, emphasising their love and respect, which uphold their dignity and foster growth for a prosperous future.

"I know this is an event that the government of New Zealand thought would be useful for us as New Zealanders. The reason is that we are starting to lose our cultural heritage. Even within my own family, my kids speak English.

"So, I try to make sure that the kids speak up. And now, the family recognises itself; they have participated in many activities in Fiji, but it's our duty as parents to have that pride in us. To recognise where we come from and where our identity lies.

"Even standing in front of you, I can connect with Kiribati. Not only was I brought up in Kiribati, but I also have ancestors from Kiribati. I had three deans who connected with Kiribati."

Tipu says he was not going to miss Sunday's special occasion. "Thank you very much for the invitation. I had to be here. I felt I had to be back here to celebrate your legacy because we take pride in reconnecting with our past.

Photo/MPP

"I know that growing up in New Zealand, the environment here is such that we quickly lose our identity and our language. So, thank you.

"We've been listening to the whole community tonight, and we've been amazed at how we are here and teaching people to speak and learn their language and culture."

After the launch, a combined service was held, and various activities were organised to engage the community. Highlights included a 'word of the day', recorded songs, discussions about spirituality, and storytelling sessions exploring Kiribati's history before and after the arrival of Christianity in the Pacific nation.

As part of the week-long celebrations, the i-Kiribati community will also commemorate their independence on 12 July, marking 46 years since gaining self-rule from the United Kingdom.

Here's a look at some of the planned events for the week:

• Monday - Flag-raising ceremony at the Peace Memorial, Te Rauparaha Park, Norrie Street, Porirua, Wellington, 8am, followed by cultural exhibits, performances, and a showcase by the Aotearoa Emanuera Church Group at Pataka Museum.

• Tuesday - Sports tournament from 8am at the Horowhenua Event Centre, 33 Victoria Street, Levin.

• Wednesday - Te Onikabwebwe Women's Club activities, including flower making at the Westfield Manukau City Shopping Centre in Auckland, 12.30pm-2pm .

• Thursday - Cultural performances featuring dances and crafts, at the Levin Events Centre, 3 Victoria Street, Levin, 9am.

• Saturday - A closing event organised by the New Zealand Kiribati National Council and Maneaban Te I-Tungaru Kiribati Community from 10.30am at Te Akaka puanga Kuki Airani Hall, 14 Bedford Court, Cannons Creek. Cultural performances by the Marewen Kiribati Group at the Māngere Town Centre, 10am-1pm.

Watch Feue Tipu's address at the launch of Kiribati Language Week in Wellington.

Meanwhile, this week also offers a chance for the i-Kiribati community and others to celebrate and share their heritage with pride.

A language, culture, and knowledge display will be held at Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library, Auckland University. A small collection of books and photographs will be showcased.

The display will be held from 7-13 July in the Pacific Space on Level One of the library. Kiribati Language Week ends on 12 July.

Kiribati is the third Pacific Language Week celebrated in 2025, following Sāmoa and Rotuma. Next is Vanuatu Bislama, which is launching for the first time and will be celebrated from 27 July to 2 August.

Photo/MPP