This year's theme, 'Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru,' highlights the importance of nurturing, enhancing, and sustaining the Tungaru language and culture. Tungaru, the name given by their ancestors, plays a significant role in shaping their identity and well-being.
"Kiribati Language Week, Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati, is a moment of unity and celebration for the Kiribati community in Aotearoa," said Hon Minister Barbara Edmonds, Minister for Pacific Peoples. "It's a valuable opportunity for all i-Kiribati people to honour their culture, identity, and language of the islands."
While 50 percent of i-Kiribati people in New Zealand speak the Tungaru language, there's a need to increase these numbers, especially among the younger generation. Kiribati groups are dedicated to preserving language and culture, recognising its significance for the next generation.
Investing in Pacific bilingual and multilingual speakers benefits Aotearoa by improving education, enhancing employment opportunities, fostering cultural connections, and strengthening the confidence of Pacific peoples.
During Kiribati Language Week, various in-person and online events will offer opportunities to learn the Tungaru language through cultural practices, storytelling, crafts, dance, and music. The celebrations will also include Kiribati Independence Day on July 12.
Watch this page for a calendar of activities and events to be held throughout Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate the richness of the Kiribati language, culture and traditions.
Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Kiribati Language Week Facebook page.
Kiribati Language Week video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa Kiribati community for Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week 2023.
Check them out on YouTube here
Official Kiribati Language Week posters (PDF)
Kiribati Language Cards - 6 page PDF
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Kiribati Language Week Theme - Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru.
Nurture, enhance and sustain the Tungaru language and culture.
One file containing all resources, including:
(30 MB Zip file) - Download
|
Date |
Event |
Time |
Venue |
Host |
|
Sunday 9 July |
Combined Opening Service |
12pm-2pm |
Pataka Art + Museum |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc |
|
4pm |
85 Palmers Road |
Kiribati Uniting Church New Zealand (KUCNZ) |
||
|
Combined Opening Service |
5pm |
All church denominations Maraeroa Hall |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
|
|
Opening Ceremony |
6pm |
Masonic Hall, James Hargest College, Invercargill |
Southland Kiribati Community and Youth |
|
|
Monday 10 July |
Flag Raising |
8am |
Peace Memorial Park, Porirua |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc |
| Showcasing of our Kiribati Cultural Materials: displaying and presentations | 9am – 11am |
Pataka Art + Museum |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
| Flag Raising | 9am |
Peace Memorial Park, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated | |
| Kiribati language workshop display and storytelling and at the library | 10am - 2pm |
ICC Library, 50 Dee Street, Invercargill |
Southland Kiribati Community and Youth | |
| Canoe and House Model Construction | 1pm |
Pataka Art + Museum |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated | |
| Kiribati 44th Independence Celebrations | 6pm |
Pataka Art + Museum |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
|
Tuesday 11 July |
Cooking Workshop |
6am – 10am | ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill | Southland Kiribati Community and Youth |
|
|
Language and Cultural Skills Training – House Model Construction |
9am – 4pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
|
Showcase - Kiribati dancing and singing |
10:30am - 12pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
|
Cultural Showcase |
11am - 12:30pm | Ministry of Social Development National Office The Aurora Centre 56 The Terrace Wellington |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
|
Showcase - Kiribati weaving |
12pm - 2pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
|
Wednesday 12 July |
Language and Cultural Skills Training – canoe model construction | 9am – 4pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
| Kiribati Cultural and Sports Day Market Day Weaving Indoor Activities |
10am - 3pm | ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill | Southland Kiribati Community and Youth | |
| Learning how to make te Itera – the Kiribati head garlands. Learning the basic skills of weaving | 10:30am - 1pm | Porirua City Council Hub7 Serlby Place, Porirua | Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
| Kiribati Performance | Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings, 1 Museum Street, Wellington | Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated | ||
|
Thursday 13 July |
Language and Cultural Skills Training – Dancing Gears including Skirt | 9am – 4pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
Kids programme – Sustaining our Kiribati Language
|
10am - 12pm | Porirua City Council Hub
7 Serlby Place, Porirua |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
| Kiribati Dance Workshop | 10am - 2pm | ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill | Southland Kiribati Community and Youth | |
|
Friday 14 July |
Language and Cultural Skills Training – sewing | 9am - 4pm | Pataka Art + Museum 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
| All about the Tirinimao (neck garland) | 10am - 12pm | Porirua City Council Hub7 Serlby Place, Porirua | Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
| Kiribati Drama Talent Show |
6pm - 10pm | ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill | Southland Kiribati Community and Youth | |
|
Saturday 15 July |
Kiribati 44th Independence Celebrations and Closing | 9am - 10am |
Maraeroa Hall, Waitangirua, Porirua |
Wellington Kiribati Community Club Incorporated |
| All about Kiribati knots | 10am - 12pm | Porirua City Council Hub
7 Serlby Place, Porirua |
Maneaban te I-Tungaru Society Inc | |
| Independence Celebration | 10am - 1pm | ILT Stadium Surrey Park Road, Glengarry, Invercargill | NZ National Kiribati Council and Southland Kiribati Community and Youth |
Coming soon!
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Kiribati Language Week preparations in 2021:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
Kiribati Community Club Incorporated also known as Wellington Kiribati |
Wellington |
5,700.00 |
Te taetae ni Kiribati |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Kiribati Waipounamu Inc |
Invercargill |
5,000.00 |
Te taetae ni Kiribati |
Language learning classes for beginners |
|
NZ Kiribati National Council |
Auckland |
36,470.00 |
Te taetae ni Kiribati |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |
|
Victoria University Pasifika Student Council |
Wellington |
954.86 |
Te taetae ni Kiribati |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music |