Samoa’s Minister of Education and Culture Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma took to social media to congratulate the launch of the Samoan Monolingual Dictionary – Tusi Faatonu – Upu ole Gagana Samoa – at the Fale Samoa in Mangere over the weekend.
Aiono was the keynote speaker and posted on Facebook to share the milestone. He says, while the dictionary was first launched in Samoa in 2023, this event marked the first time it has been launched overseas.
“The government of Samoa is taking this opportunity to further promote the Samoan language among our diaspora communities abroad. Auckland was the natural place to begin, given it is estimated that more than 300,000 Samoans reside in New Zealand.”
The launch also coincides with Samoa Ministry of Education and Culture’s bilingual policy that was approved by Cabinet last week.
The policy outlines the work for the education system in Samoa to utilise both the English and Samoan languages to teach students in educational institutions across the country.
Aiono says the Samoan government hopes the dictionary will be widely read and used in schools, libraries and homes in order to strengthen Gagana Samoa for future generations.
The book is available from the Samoan Consulate in Auckland for NZD$250.
