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Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week

Celebrate: 18 - 24 August

The 2024 theme for Tonga Language Week is 'E tu'uloa 'a e Lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá - The Tongan Language will be sustainable when used at home, church and in the wider community. 

This theme derives from the overarching Language Week Series theme for 2024, 'Sustainability'. This aligns with the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages and the long-term vision in the Pacific Languages Strategy. 

More resources for Tonga Language Week, including social media graphics and posters will be uploaded before the language week takes place, so check back for more soon! Previous years' resources can be found below. 

Tonga Webtile

Tonga Language Week resources

Uike Lea Faka-Tonga 2023 video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa Tongan Community for Tonga Language Week 2023.

Check them out on YouTube here

Tonga Language Cards - 6-page PDF

Official Tonga Language Week posters (PDF)

Email signatures:

Backgrounds:

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Calendar of Events 2023

Date

Event

Time

Venue

Host

Sunday 3 August

‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Southern Region

1pm

St Saviour’s & St Nicholas Anglican Church, 231 Barrington Street, Somerfield, Christchurch

Finau Fakapelea (Southern Region Youth Lead)

Sunday 3 August

Pōlotu Fakaava ‘o e Uike Lea Faka-Tonga ‘a e ngaahi ako ‘i Aotearoa – Opening Ceremony

2pm - 4pm

Lesieli Tonga- Auditorium, 143 Favona Rd, Māngere, Auckland

Tolutoluhama

Sunday 3 August

Malanga Fakatahataha Fakaava 'a e kau faiako

5.30pm 

Tokaima'ananga Ōtara, 3 Ormiston Road, Ōtara, Auckland

Akoteu Tonga (Tongan ECE Teachers)

Sunday 3 August

Tongan Interfaith Community Musical Devotional

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington, Auckland 

Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Sunday 3 August

Po Hiva (A night of traditional Tongan Christian songs)

6pm - 7.30pm 

Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld Street, St Kilda, Dunedin

Dunedin Tongan Community Inc. 

Sunday 3 August

‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Northern Region 

6pm 

Selusalema Church, 290 Massey Road, Māngere East, Auckland  

Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)

Sunday 3 August

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 6 – Northern Region

 

Online

Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)

Sunday 3 August

‘Ēseli Youth Pōhiva – Central Region

 

Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt

Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)

Monday 4 September

Talanoa Fananga moe Lautohi Fakatonga

 

Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland

Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE

Monday 4 September

Community Opening Ceremony

 

Glen Innes Library, 108 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland

Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Monday 4 September Market Day  

Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Load, Glen Innes, Auckland

Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Monday 4 September ‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 5 – Northern Region   Online Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)
Monday 4 September #au ATTĀ TALATALANOA TAHA- Why is “Fa Kavei Koula " Four Golden Tongan Pillars" fundamental to sustaining the Tongan lea FakaTonga and how is it implemented in Aotearoa? 7pm - 8.30pm Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association
Monday 4 September ‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region 8pm

Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt

Solomone Tuiano(Central Region Youth Lead)
Monday 4 September Hiva moe Tau'olunga FakaTonga - Ngaahi Teunga Tau'olunga, Tui kakala, Toli kakala  

Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland

Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE

Tuesday 5 September

#auATTĀ TALATALANOA UA - “Ko 'Api ko e uluaki apiako ia” Home is the First School. Therefore, how can our Tongan homes support & encourage Lea FakaTonga?

7pm - 8.30pm Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association

Tuesday 5 September

Tui Kakala Workshop 1 5pm - 7pm  Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE

Tuesday 5 September

Tongan Storytime & Celebration   Panmure Library, 7/13 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Tuesday 5 September

Tongan Sewing, Arts and Crafts   Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Tuesday 5 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 4 – Northern Region   Online Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)

Tuesday 5 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region 8pm

Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt

Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)

Tuesday 5 September

‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Dunedin Branch 5pm

44 Victoria Road, Saint Kilda, Dunedin

Sione Taufa (Dunedin Youth Lead)

Wednesday 6 September

'Aati Fakatonga. Ngatu Day - Taa Kupesi, Vali Ngatu, Tohi Ngatu, Pelu Ngatu   Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE

Wednesday 6 September

Po Fehu’I Night – Quiz Night. Test how well you know the Tongan Language  

Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld Street, St Kilda, Dunedin

Dunedin Tongan Community Inc.

Wednesday 6 September

#auATTĀ TALATALANOA TOLU - Faka'ake'ake Mo'ui Lotolu– Sino, Atamai mo e Laumalie- Raising awareness of trichotomy- Body Mind & Spirit. What does this look like for various Tongan denominations in Aotearoa? 7pm - 8.30pm

Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018

Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association

Wednesday 6 September

Senior International Day (Tongan)  

Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Ōtara, Auckland

Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Wednesday 6 September

Tongan Wriggle and Rhymes  

Panmure Library, 7/13 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland

Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes

Wednesday 6 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 3 – Northern Region  

Online

Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)

Wednesday 6 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region 8pm

Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt

Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)

Thursday 7 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition Grade 2 – Northern Region    Online Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead) 

Thursday 7 September

#auATTA TALATALANOA FĀ - Nofo 'a Kainga Tonga I Aotearoa- The wider Tongan community. How can Tongana living in Aotearoa nurture Tauhi Vā through talanoa and networking. 7pm - 8.30pm Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association

Thursday 7 September

Ngaahi kiekie moe ta'ovala day - tui e ngaahi ta'ovala kehekehe   Akoteu Kato Kakala Preschool, 210 Bairds Road, Ōtara, Auckland Akoteu Kato Kakala ECE

Thursday 7 September

Kupesi Making Workshop  

Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland

 

Thursday 7 September

‘Ēseli Lea faka-Tonga Speech Competition – Central Region 8pm

Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt

Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)
Friday 8 September Tongan Storytime   Glen Innes Library, 108 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes
Friday 8 September Kahoa Making Workshop   Te Oro Music & Art Centre, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes
Friday 8 September ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Northern Region 8pm ‘Anitioke Hall, 290 Massey Road, Māngere East, Auckland Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)
Friday 8 September ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Northern Region   Online Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)
Friday 8 September ‘Ēseli Tongan Games Night – Central Region 8pm Fakaakeake Mo’ui Church, 31/32 George Street, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)
Friday 8 September #auATTA TALATALANOA NIMA - Q & A Responsive to the Tongan Gen X & Millennial participants further questions during the week. Plus 'A'AHI of the Learning during the TLW 2023 #auATTĀ TALATALANOA sessions. 7pm - 8.30pm Online #auATTA Zoom link. Meeting ID 817 6548 3601 Password 246018 #auATTA Facilitator
Saturday 9 September ‘Ēseli Faiva Day – Northern Region   ‘Anitioke Hall, 290 Massey Rd, Māngere East, Auckland Manutala Hopoi (Northern Region Youth Lead)
Saturday 9 September Closing Ceremony,
Po Hiva Kakala & Kava Night
Tongan Communities Groups
  Panmure Community Hall, 7-13 Pilkington Rd, Panmure, Auckland Ha’ape Mata Mei Langi of Glen Innes
Saturday 9 September ‘Ēseli ‘Otai Challenge & Faiva Day – Central Region   Fakaakeake Mo’ui Hall, 31/32 George St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt Solomone Tuiano (Central Region Youth Lead)
Saturday 9 September ‘Ēseli Faiva Day – Southern Region 12pm - 3pm Mohoao Room, Halswell Library, 341 Halswell Rd, Halswell, Christchurch Finau Fakapelea (Southern Region Youth Lead)
Saturday 9 September ‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Gisborne/Hastings Branch 10am 231 Crawford Rd, Kaiti, Gisborne Tavalu Hopoi (Gisborne Youth Lead)
Saturday 9 September ‘Ēseli Tongan Language Day – Levin/Palmerston North Branch     Samisoni Tonu (Levin Youth Lead)
Saturday 9 September #auATTA A'ahi will be a FAKAMUNA 'AONGA - CREATIVITY WITH PURPOSE
Centres:
1. Auckland
2. Katikati/Hawkes Bay 
3. Southland- Invercargill
 

Auckland: Lotofale'ia, 30-34 Orly Ave, Māngere

Katikati/Hawkes Bay: Online Zoom meeting ID 827 9693 9746 Password 494958

#auATTA Facilitator
Saturday 9 September Po Faiva – A night of traditional Tongan dances performed by the community   Tahuna Normal Intermediate, 31 Auld St, St Kilda, Dunedin Dunedin Tongan Language Community Inc.

Tonga Language Week Funding Recipients

Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Tonga Language Week preparations in 2022:

Organisation/Group Name

Location

 Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Ēseli 'o e To'utupu Trust 

National

12,300.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through arts and crafts, digital/online learning, music, oratory, and traditional dance

Malia Tupou's Arts and Culture Incorporated

Wellington

5,050.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through traditional dance, digital/online learning and arts and crafts

Makatu'unga he 'Ofa Tongan Community Wellington Incorporated

Wellington

4,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through arts and crafts, music, and community awareness events

Kakala Malie Incorporated Society

Auckland

4,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through arts and crafts and traditional dance

Dunedin Tongan Community Incorporated

Dunedin

4,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through arts and crafts, oratory, music and traditional dance

Fine Tonga oku hala i he Kolo Mahanga

Hastings

4,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through dance, music, arts and crafts, language learning in a home environment and in the workplace

Ha'ape Mata Mei Langi 'o Glen Innes

Auckland

2,700.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through community awareness events, arts and crafts, traditional dance, oratory, music, and digital/online learning

Kilikali Youth

Dunedin

1,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through oratory and music

 

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

Organisation/Group Name

Location

 Approved Amount

Language

Initiative focus

Christchurch Tongan Youth Council Christchurch

 

3,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Ēseli Youth

Dunedin

3,700.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices and oratory

Fine Tonga oku haka i he kolo mahanga

Hastings

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Fofo'anga o Aotearoa Incorporated Society

Auckland

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, kava ceremony and storytelling

Fonu Moe Moa Aotearoa Society Incorporated

Auckland

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling and intergenerational passing of knowledge from Elders to Youth

Haape Mata Mei Langi o Glen Innes

Auckland

3,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Kakala Malie Inc Society

Auckland

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, and storytelling

Kalapu Maileua Charitable Trust

Auckland

2,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Kalasi’aho Famili Koinonia

Auckland

1,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Tongan Community Wellington Incorporated

Wellington

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling and intergenerational passing of knowledge from Elders to Youth

Malia Tupuimakulata Choir

Christchurch

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

New Zealand Tongan Tertiary Student association

Auckland

3,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning competition

Otago Tongan Students' Association (OTSA)

Dunedin

3,200.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Palataisi Tongan Childrens Trust

Invercargill

3,700.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Taulama Lea FakaTonga Services Ltd

Auckland

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, music and through church activities

Tongan Society South Canterbury Inc

Timaru

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory and storytelling

Victoria University of Wellington Tongan Students' Association

Wellington

3,250.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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

Waikato Tongan Community Charity Trust

Hamilton

3,500.00

Lea Faka Tonga

Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling

Wellington Tongan Leaders Council

Wellington

5,000.00

Lea Faka Tonga

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