(Picture caption: The Government’s Pacific Languages Strategy 2022 – 2032 was launched at Parliament on September 23.)
A united approach across government underpins the new Pacific Language Strategy, announced by the Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio at Parliament.
Minister Sio says the cornerstone of Pacific cultures, identities and place in Aotearoa, New Zealand are our Pacific languages.
“They are at the heart of our wellbeing,” he adds.
“They are spiritual gifts, unique to Aotearoa and the Pacific region, and they give us a point of difference and a competitive advantage in the workplace and economy.”
The Pacific Language Strategy demonstrates the Government’s commitment to reverse the declining use of Pacific languages in Aotearoa, while ensuring Pacific languages thrive and prosper for the sake of future generations’ wellbeing.
It will be implemented through a Pacific Languages Government Action Plan and ethnic-specific Community Language Action Plans.
Minister Sio says it will take a long-term approach to supporting Pacific languages across Pacific communities, government agencies and other key stakeholders.
“An alarming trend has emerged in the past several decades showing the use of Pacific languages is in decline, and many are in danger of being lost.
“We are not alone in this journey, and we acknowledge indigenous languages globally, including tangata whenua of Aotearoa, experiencing the journey of loss and hope in championing te reo Māori.
“I am keenly aware of many Pacific young people who whakapapa Māori, and we have a collective responsibility in our families to encourage and support this generation – Generation 6Bs – to be confident and comfortable in both te reo Māori and their heritage Pacific language.”
The Government’s Pacific Languages Strategy 2022 – 2032 was launched at Parliament on September 23 during a cultural ceremony which included Minister Sio gifting the strategy to youth leaders.
It is founded on three key objectives:
The Minister continues saying Pacific languages are a taonga for our people and he is calling on communities to embrace this strategy and to help ensure reo can be strengthened, celebrated and passed on for many generations to come.
“When Pacific languages are heard, spoken, and celebrated, Pacific communities thrive; and when our Pacific communities thrive, Aotearoa is a better place for all of us.
“As the home to one of the largest Pacific populations in the world, New Zealand is well-placed to support Pacific languages to thrive.”
The first comprehensive language survey of its kind in Aotearoa, the Leo Moana o Aotearoa project is also being launched alongside the Pacific Languages Strategy.
It provides a clear picture of Pacific language use and attitudes across all regions, ages, and ethnic groups.
This project will be repeated every four years to monitor progress of the Pacific Languages Strategy, and to help to determine where to direct new investment in Pacific languages.
“We have seen through COVID-19 that Pacific languages are fundamental to the survival of Pacific communities,” Minister Sio says.
“Evidence tells us when our people are strong in their languages, as well as English, they are more likely to be strong mentally, culturally, academically and economically.”
Visit the MPP website for more information on the Pacific Languages Strategy.