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Pacific language week dates for 2022 announced

March 11, 2022

This year's Pacific Language Weeks, which will centre on the theme of Sustainability. Photo Ministry for Pacific Peoples — This year’s Pacific Language Weeks will centre on the theme of Sustainability. Photo: Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has announced the dates for this year’s Pacific Language Weeks, which will centre on the theme of Sustainability.

“The theme…aligns to New Zealand’s opportunity to build back better from Covid-19 as we reopen to the world and reconnect with one another,” says Aupito.

Recognising an urgent need to preserve, revitalise, and promote Indigenous language, UNESCO announced its International Decade of Indigenous Languages which aligns with the Pacific Language Weeks series.

UNESCO identified at least 40% of the world’s 7000 languages in danger of being lost.

Aupito says, “with the country still in the Red Covid-19 traffic setting, all the Pacific Language Weeks events and celebrations will take place online, maximising it’s reach for more audiences.

“Our languages are a key cornerstone for our health and wellbeing as Pacific people, and I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to those who have worked extremely hard to ensure that our families and our communities are kept safe and well,” he says.

“We know when you lose your language, your culture soon follows, and when there is no longer culture, there is a void.

“Let’s prevent that void by fostering Pacific indigenous languages in our daily lives, and of course, by participating in the 2022 Pacific Language Weeks series,” Aupito says.

An online event will take place before the first Pacific Language Week to honour the Language Champions for 2021, and recognise their work in their communities to promote their languages.

The dates for this years’ Pacific Language Weeks: