Tuvalu Language Week 2023: Celebrating 'minority among minorities' across Aotearoa

Tuvalu Language Week launched in Auckland at the weekend with the aim of preserving, embracing and safeguarding the South Pacific nation's language.

Producer for PMN Tuvalu, Fala Haulagi says they are especially focused on the Tuvalu youth in New Zealand's diaspora.

"Especially around the identity of 'Who am I?' As a Tuvaluan, a minority among the minorities in Aotearoa New Zealand" Haulagi says.

"So it's very important because to me that's what it's all about.

"If you know you're identity you know who you are and where you come from. No matter what you do in life you'll always be that proud person."

An abundance of celebrations across Aotearoa for the language week have been planned or enacted.

Haulagi gave props to Ōtautahi - Christchurch for coming up with this year's theme: Fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuā - Preserve and embrace your language to safeguard our heritage identities.

Haulagi adds on that celebrations are occurring from as far as Auckland to Queenstown.

"We always look at Queenstown like 'oh the city of all these rich [people]," she says.

"But hey don't be surprised we have Tuvaluans there! And they are celebrating Tuvalu language down there too."