Fijian Language Week

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, who joined the Fijian community online, marked Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week, welcoming this year's theme of showing how language is an important contributor to wellbeing.

"At the start of the year, our Pacific communities chose an overarching theme of wellbeing for the Pacific Language Weeks series, given the impact Covid is having on every community around Aotearoa," Minister Sio said.

Aupito Su'a William Sio said learning more about anyone's language or culture opens a pathway for communication and commerce.

This week New Zealand celebrates its sixth Fijian Language Week - Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - with the theme 'Noqu Vosa Me'u Bula Taka' meaning My language, Learn it, Speak it, Live it.

Aupito said language and culture is vital for all Pacific peoples in New Zealand to have a stronger sense of belonging and general well-being.

"Pacific languages are also avenues to trade and commerce," he said.