North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Pacific engagement promoted at gallery
Dressed in traditional kiekie and ta’ovala, a gang of 30 delighted preschoolers toddled into an Auckland art gallery to celebrate their Tongan language.
For Tongan Language Week, Auckland Art Gallery organised three different types of art and storytime activities for the children to participate in.
The event doubled as both a celebration of Tongan Languages Week, and a way to encourage Pasifika engagement with the gallery.
Akoteu To’o Lelei pre-school is a Tongan-taught early childhood education class, on the North Shore, for 2 to 5-year-olds.
‘‘We live in a European community and we are the only Tongan school. It is important that we pass on our language to our next generations,’’ head teacher Kepa Halatanu said.
The class was invited to visit the gallery, through a mutual contact, Halatanu said.
This is the first year Auckland Art Gallery has provided this opportunity for schools in the community.
It was a good opportunity to expose our children to different experiences and the Auckland Art Gallery, especially as it is Tongan Language Week, Halatanu said.
Auckland Art Gallery’s Emily Mafile’o and Ioka MageleSuamasi organised the event, liaising with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples regional advisors.
Tongan Language Week is extremely important to Mafile’o. Half-tongan herself, Mafile’o said not being able to speak the language fluently gives a feeling of disconnection to her culture.
‘‘It’s lovely to support the week in a small way,’’ she said.
Not only that, but Mafile’o said she hopes the week will encourage more engagement with Pasifika communities.
‘‘My passion is to get my people [Tongan and Pacific Islanders] through the doors,’’ Mafile’o said. ’’At the moment it is only three per cent.’’
The gallery wants people to be comfortable here so they have the opportunity to express themselves and participate in the visual works available.
‘‘Art reflects emotions and provides an interesting way to look at the world,’’ she said.
‘‘We can reach parents through their children.’’
Tongan Language Week runs from September 3 to 9.
The theme for the year is Fakakoloa ‘a Aotearoa ‘aki ‘ae Nofo a Kainga – Enriching Aotearoa with our Family and Community Values.