Samoa Language Week 2023

Celebrate: Sunday 28 May - Saturday 3 June

The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2023 will be announced soon.

Last year's theme was Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai - Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.

As part of 2022's overarching theme of ‘Sustainability’, the Samoan community chose a theme that would reflect the journey of language revitalisation and maintenance as well as recognising the importance of having the right tools, good leadership skills, relationships and the correct medium (va’a) that is adaptable to faring the ocean and its elements.

This year marks 13 years since Samoa Language Week has been celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand. Following on from 2021, Samoa Language Week 2022 was led by three key organisations – FAGASA, Fotu ō Malama and SAASIA. 

2022 was also a significant year for the Samoan community, being the 60th anniversary of Samoa Independence. Communities organised activities to commemorate this milestone, which coincided with Samoa Language Week.

In launching last year's Samoa Language Week, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said that the event was even more important as Samoa celebrated 60 years of independence.

“This is the year of Samoa in the Pacific and we begin this week in Aotearoa with the celebration of ‘Le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa’, Samoan Language week", he said.

Samoa has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand. It is the only nation that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship. The Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand is about a commitment to partnership, friendship and a mutual endeavour to obtain for Tagata Samoa fuller opportunities for social progress. Language is critical in achieving this.

Keep an eye out below for a calendar of activities and events to be held throughout Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa in 2023.

Stay connected online by visiting the official Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa Facebook page.