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Samoa Language Week 2023

Samoa Language Week 2023

Celebrated: Sunday 28 May - Saturday 3 June

The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2023 was ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.

This year's theme focused on the importance of the Samoan language and identity. It impressed on us the need not only to understand the Samoan language, but to also use it as much as possible. When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Samoan.

Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga encourages Samoan language pride in four key areas:

Be proud of your ancestral language

Our ancestral language included symbols, signs, environmental landmarks, events, gestures and other intangible language, serving as a reminder of life from past generations and carrying with it our histories and creation from the minds and mouths of Samoans. Be proud of your language that was created and grown by our ancestors.

Be proud of your spiritual language

The Samoan language is a pillar in our churches and is nurtured in church programmes and activities such as Sunday School, Youth groups, choirs and church services. The church plays an important role in ensuring the Samoan language thrives, and that Samoan people are proud of their language.

Be proud of your language in your families

Pride in the Samoan language begins in the home. The family is the first classroom for Samoans. We are first taught in our homes how to speak and show respect to elders and others. You learn how to invite people to eat, as well as know how to acknowledge gifts of food that people bring with them.

When someone is grounded in their languages, it becomes easier to learn other languages, and it contributes positively to wellbeing. If you are strong in your Samoan language, you never have to question who you are as a Samoan, because you understand what it means to be Samoan.

Be proud of your written language

We are now seeing that our Samoan language is needing to adapt and change. Our written language is now becoming more valued in schools, workplaces, places of worship, and many other areas of our lives. Therefore, we must be able to read, understand, speak and write Samoan. Be proud of your written language especially with the positive changes we are seeing with the Samoan language.

Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga - Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity

The Samoan language has many components. There is simple Samoan, and there is more complex Samoan. There is everyday language and then there is respectful language. There is language specific to young people, and then language that pertains to chiefs and orators. The Samoan language has depth.

This year’s theme for Samoa Language Week is encouraging all use of the Samoan language, from the language most fitting for young people, to the Samoan language used with adults and older Samoans. Whatever stage you are at on your language journey, and how well you can speak and understand Samoan, it is important to continue to use it daily so that the Samoan language thrives. Only there will you be proud of your language, and only then will your identity as a Samoan be grounded in your mind, body and soul.

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

Samoa Language Week resources

Official Samoa Language Week posters:

Poster Templates:

Samoa Language Card - 6 pages, 712kb (PDF) - Download

Square Tiles - 1080 x 1080 px (jpg):

Rectangular Tiles - 1200 x 628 px (jpg):

Instagram Story Tiles - 1080 x 1920 px (jpg):

Banner Tiles (PNG):

1200 x 628 px:


2400 x 800 px:

Simple greetings and phrases:

  • Hello (formal) - Talofa lava (MP3) - Download
  • How are you? (to one person) - O a mai oe (MP3) - Download
  • How are you? (to two people) - O a mai oulua (MP3) - Download
  • How are you? (to three or more people) - O a mai outou (MP3) - Download
  • Please - Fa'amolemole (MP3) - Download
  • Thank you - Fa'afetai (MP3) - Download
  • Goodbye - Tofa soifua (MP3) - Download
  • Happy Samoan Language Week - Manuia le vaiaso o le gagana Samoa - (MP3) - Download

Every day during Samoa Language Week, we added new word and phrase of the day video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa community to our Samoa Language Week Playlist on Youtube.

Check them out on YouTube here

One file containing all resources, including: 

  • Email signatures
  • Posters and templates
  • Language Cards
  • Web banners
  • Social media content
  • Audio files

(10 MB Zip file) - Download

Calendar of Events 2023

Date 

Event 

Time 

Venue 

Host

Saturday 27 May 

Samoan Language Week Art Exhibition Opening “Tusiata O Le Tala O Le Vavau” 

11am 

Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland 

Samoan Artist’s Collective 

SAMOA LANGUAGE WEEK BEGINS 

Sunday 28 May 

Fotu o Malama Samoan Language Week Opening Service 

2.30 - 6pm 

Papatoetoe High School 

19 Nicholson Avenue, Papatoetoe 

Fotu o Malama 

Sunday 28 May 

Lotu - Tatalaina o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa 

4pm 

St Paul's Trinity Pacific Presbyterian Church  

FAGASA 

Sunday 28 May

Sauniga lotu o le Tutoatasi ma tatala aloa’ia ai le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa NZ

5pm

EFKS Cannons Creek Porirua

Mafutaga Soofaatasi Ueligitone, Porirua ma le Hutt Valley

Sunday 28 May

Samoan Language Week opening ceremony and lotu

6pm-8pm

PMN Cultural Hub, L4 Boehringer Ingelheim Building, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland

PMN

Monday 29 May 

Launch - Education Perfect (Gagana Samoa) in Primary Sector 

 

Christchurch 

FAGASA 

Monday 29 May  

Samoan Baby Bounce 

10.30am 

Naenae Neighbourhood Hub,
Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011 

Hutt City Council
Bring your pepe along for a special Baby Bounce and Rhyme session to celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa Samoan Language Week! 

Monday 29 May 

SAASIA Lotu mo le Tatalaina o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa 

10am 

EFKS Grey Lynn,
56 Sussex St, Grey Lynn<
Auckland 

SAASIA Aoga Amata West & Central 

Monday 29 May 

Iunite Samoa - Tupulaga mo a taeao aua le faamanatuina o le Gagana Samoa. Aso Gafua 29 o Me. 

9am 

217 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand 

Rosebank Primary School Avondale - FAGASA 

TBC 

Dunedin - Samoan Language week is celebrated together with Samoan Independence.   

TBC 

Dunedin 

FAGASA 
Guest speaker with Hon. Aupito Sio 

Monday 29 May 

Mataupu Tau Samoa ma le Faletusi a le Iunivesite o Vitoria 

10am 

Wellington 

Victoria University, Wellington 

Monday 29 May 

University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Ava Ceremony

11am – 2pm

Fale Pasifika, 20-26 Wynyard Street City Campus, University of Auckland

 

Monday 29 May 

University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Lotu Afiafi

6pm – 8pm

Lagi Atea Moana Cultural Space,
AUSA Student Union Building,
University of Auckland

 

Wednesday 31 May 2023 

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa programme 

10am 

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po, Horowhenua Culture & Community Centre, 10 Bath Street, Levin, 5510 

Programme of stories and songs led by Fanau Pasifika and a performance from Levin Intermediate. 

Wednesday 31 May 

Samoan Storytime 

10.30am 

Naenae Neighbourhood Hub
Hillary Court, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011 

Bring your tamaiti along for Samoan Storytime, where we’ll read tusi and do some Samoan crafts!
Hutt City Council 

Thursday 1 June 

Tautai o le moana speech competition 

9am 

Bishop Viard College 
20 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua 

Primary School years 5,6,7,8 Samoa Speech Competition 

Thursday 1 June 

University of Auckland Samoan Students Association – Samoan Independence Day Showcase

12-4pm

Fale Pasifika
20-26 Wynyard Street City Campus University of Auckland

 

Thursday 1 June 2023 

Samoan collections up-close 

5.45pm - 6.45pm

Alexander Turnbull Library
Level 1, National Library
Molesworth Street & Aitken Street
Wellington 6011

Suliana Vea from the Alexander Turnbull Library and Ulu Afaese from Digital Pasifik will explore the Samoan collections held at the Library. 
Limited spaces are available,
email [email protected] to book your spot.

Friday 2 June 

SAASIA Lotu mo le Tapunia o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa  

10am  

Ekalesia Metotisi Manukau 

SAASIA Aoga Amata South 

Friday 2 June 

Polokalame fa’apitoa a Mapusaga Aoga Amata ma tamaiti aoga mai le Iunivesite.  

10am 

7-9 Vili Place, Woolston, Christchurch 

SAASIA Kalaiesetete  

Saturday 3 June 2023 

Lalelei o le laumua  

 

O’Shea Performing Arts Centre 
St Patrick’s College 
581 Evans Bay Parade, Kilbirnie, Wellington 

Tautua Dance, Tofi o Tamatane & Anamua Fou 

Saturday 3 June 2023

Gogosina – “O Le Feagaiga” production

6pm

Kings and Queens Performance Auditorium 270 Bay View Rd, Dunedin

SIVA Tanetini

Saturday 3 June 2023 

Samoa Language Week 2023 Entertainment featuring Mt Malaka Band and DJ Fasafuss 

7pm 

Mafutaga Samoa
8 Giles Lane, Tokoroa 

 

Saturday 3 June 2023 

Fiafia night 

 

PIACT Hall 
135 Bowmont Street, Invercargill 

 

Samoa Language Week Funding Recipients

Coming soon!

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Samoa Language Week preparations in 2021:

Organisation/Group Name

Location

 Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Aiga Samoa Far North

Kaitaia

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through church resources, cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

CCCS Youth

Invercargill

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

FAGASA

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

Fotu O Mālama

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

Lorenzo Kaisara

Auckland

5,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music

SAASIA

Auckland

15,000.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance and music