Youth crucial to the future of the Fijian language in Aotearoa - language tutor

A Fijian language teacher says youth are the secret to turning over low rates of Fijian language speakers in Aotearoa.

More than 60,000 Fijians in New Zealand's diaspora are celebrating Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week, with this year's theme being “Vakamareqeta na Vosa Vakaviti - Nurture and sustain the Fijian language”.

However, less than 10,000 Fijian New Zealanders can speak their language.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Victoria University advisor and Fijian language tutor Maciu Vucago said young people are the key to increasing these low rates.

He said the mobilisation efforts to uplift the Fijian language are focused on improving accessibility to the language for Fijians living in Aotearoa.

"That's why so much of our focus is on young people and children," Vucago said.

"Most of them are now young parents as well and so the concern is real in terms of how we could advocate for the use of Vosa Vakaviti in Aotearoa.

"Which is reflected in the theme - to protect and sustain Vosa Vakaviti."

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Community effort still vital
The Wellington-based language tutor said although youth are crucial, the preservation and proliferation of vosa vakaviti in Aotearoa required a community effort.

As a father of three who were born in New Zealand, Vucago understood the importance of providing access to the language to youth who may not have a parent who speaks the vosa vakaviti.

This spurred him, and another person sharing this concern, to start what was called the Johnsonville Fijian language class for kids in compulsory schooling up to the secondary level five years ago.

"So, every Tuesday afternoon during school term we run one and half hour sessions with kids.

"We've got between 39 to 43 children averaging per term attending our class.

"So, that has sustained us and has been our commitment to our kids here in Aotearoa, particularly here in Wellington."

Vucago encouraged those who can speak the language, especially elders, to mobilise and create hubs of learning for their communities.

Double celebrations for NZ-based Fijians
Coinciding with Fijian language week was Fijian Independence Day yesterday, celebrating 54 years since the South Pacific nation regained independence from Great Britain on 10 October 1970.

Vucago said Fiji’s Independence Day is supercharged by New Zealand's Fijian language week, and was reflected in their church's lovo (feast) last night in Johnsonville.

"Here in Wellington we're privileged to celebrate with the Fijian government and we had the presence of the honourable Minister of Education to host the evening with the Fijian High Commission.

"Of course, it's about independence but really today is about celebrating who we are, our place in the world, how far we've come, and Fiji's place in the Pacific.

"For us as Fijians in Aotearoa, [it's also about] contributing to building the wellbeing and life here and being part of that colourful tapestry of our communities that we are still shaping and procreating together.

"So, a lot to be celebrated, a lot of kava flowing last night."