Tokelau elders look to youth to continue gagana Tokelau

Auckland's Tokelau community is undergoing a transition in leadership as community elders hand over the reins to their New Zealand born leaders.

Stats NZ figures show Tokelauan's in New Zealnd now number 7173 but there is a steady decline in the number of Tokelauan's who speak their language.

Broadcaster Matt Ineleo said its ignited a wake up call among his generation that the language and culture will die if they do not continue what their parents did.

Matt said, "it's going to require a lot of effort from all of us in the community of my generation it's really important that we all are active.

"If we are not involved that's where the culture is going to die, if we don't recognise that and we don't contribute what we can, then our children will be the victim of that," said Matt

Te vaiaho o te gagana Tokelau - Tiutiunga a Tautai ma Fingo aua Te Lumanaki o Fanau - Mastery of Traditional Knowledge, Skills, Expertise and Leadership help shape the future.

Tokelau Language Week is from Sunday 27 October – Saturday 2 November

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito WIlliam Sio will launch Tokelau Language Week in Auckland on Monday.