“Niue is small, but the personalities of the people are big, and Christchurch Niueans are no exceptions”.
As the rock of Polynesia prepares to celebrate 50 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand, the Niuean community across the globe is just as excited about it.
Such is the case for the newly established Niue Community Christchurch (NCC) who will be holding an event this Saturday to celebrate the golden jubilee which also comes in time with Niue Language week in New Zealand.
This year’s theme for the language week is ‘Leveki mo e Feaki e Vagahau Niue ma Anoiha – Protect and Nurture Vagahau Niue for the Future’.
A fitting phrase that ties up everything together that the Christchurch group hopes to achieve in what it sets out to do.
NCC Chairperson Riki Welsh plays a big part in not only the organisation but also bringing the group together in order to create opportunities to celebrate its culture and language.
With roots in South Alofi where his grandma still lives, Welsh is relishing the opportunity of being part of the group and representing his homeland.
“Our group is complex in that we have mainly been connected through a facebook messenger group to share notices and messages for the Niue community. We have 57 people in the group that we keep informed of what we are doing” Welsh said.
“We have an ‘official’ committee of 11 people who are currently working on our ‘community development’. We have put together our draft goals and purposes, as well as other ideas for our constitution”
Despite being known in the Pacific region as one of the smallest islands and population, Welsh says that this is not the case for the Niueans in Christchurch, who bring not only the numbers but the alofa to their group.
And it’s that feeling that he believes is what strengthens them together as one.
“We have been here for decades and the families are well known to each other. From census numbers we estimate 750+ Niueans in Christchurch”
“Niue is small, but the personalities of the people are big, and Christchurch Niueans are no exceptions” he added. We have a deep and rich history in Christchurch with elders like Tufuga Lagatuli being here since the 1950’s”
“Like all communities ours is complex and requires lots of alofa”
That same alofa is what he hopes is shown on Saturday when they host their first community event for the people of Christchurch.
The event which will showcase dancing, singing, food and other cultural aspects, but most importantly a moment to reflect on the journey of the island and it’s people over the past 50 years.
“The performances and crafts will be amazing, but the people are what I am most looking forward to. It has been a very long time since our Niue community of Christchurch has come together”
And as Welsh added, it’s a chance to reflect the past, present and the future for all Niueans in Christchurch but around the world.
“We remember the gargantuan effort of our families, ancestors and communities to get us to where we are today, and to appreciate all that has been done for us”
“Looking forward to the next 50 years is also a part of reflecting on the first 50 years. The key here would be the children and letting them be proud of Niue and to showcase to them their history as they will be the future”
“We get too busy in our lives to be able to remember and appreciate our little island of Niue. It’s good to have milestones like the 50th to make us make time!”
Outside of the celebrations and festivities and this Saturday’s event, Welsh is adamant to keep the group thriving in Christchurch.
A community consultation day is set to take place on November 23 in which members of the group will plan on more events to help grow the group, and preserve the Niuean culture in Christchurch.
“The committee will take this feedback into consideration, then look to incorporate the group and have an inaugural annual general meeting” Welsh stated.
“From there a yearly work plan for the group would likely look like, Monthly cultural events, Fundraising events, having an annual event for Niue language week and Constitution Day and more”
