NZ celebrates Tonga Language Week

population. Stats NZ revealed Tongans were the fastest-growing Pacific ethnic group in New Zealand in recent years, with their numbers increasing more than threefold between 1986 and 2006.

Between 2013 and 2018, the Tongan population in Aotearoa increased by 20,000. According to the 2018 Census, New Zealand had a Tongan population of 82,389 but only 12% of Tongans under the age of 15 spoke the language – a decline of 9% since 2006.

Sio said it was encouraging to see Tongan groups around the country continue to commit and deliver initiatives every year to promote the Pacific language.

In the recent Leo Moana o Aotearoa

survey, 72% of Tongans said listening and speaking to family members in one’s household was an enabler.

During consultation on the draft Pacific Languages Strategy last year, the Tongan community shared some of their insights to strengthening and maintaining lea faka-tonga in Aotearoa.

‘‘Encouraging grassroots initiatives to teach the language through various cultural values, learning lea faka-tonga at home first and total immersion are some ways Tongans believe would support them to reclaim their language.’’

Sio said this was why the Government was also investing, through the Ministry of Education, in the implementation of Pacific bilingual language education throughout the education system as part of the Pacific Education Plan.

Activities and events have been planned across the country, in schools, community groups, and workplaces.

‘‘During Tonga Language Week, many of the online and inperson initiatives planned will focus on youth and the passing of cultural knowledge from the elders to young people, through activities such as music, cooking, wellbeing, dance, arts and craft, storytelling and oratory – we want you to get involved, ma¯ lo¯ ‘aupito’.’’