Transcript
The Pacific Language Weeks started in 2010, when Samoan - Aotearoa's third most spoken language - was thrust into the spotlight.
The idea behind the language weeks is to both promote and preserve indigenous tongues among the diaspora in New Zealand.
And now, Kiribati joins seven other language weeks.
Auckland-based Kiribati tutor, Taeang Erika, says it's been a long time coming.
"I am so glad that we are having it and we've got a day and date because at that time or on that date, we are going to use mostly our language. We are going to make sure our language is alive and it is spoken throughout. Also we can practise our culture too."
Ms Erika says South Auckland's Finlayson Park School - where she teaches - has established a unit to teach i-Kiribati students their language.
"I started the Kiribati language last year as a trial. And this time on the 26th of March, we are going to officially open it and we've got visitors to come on that day."
Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, says the weeks illuminate the value of the languages and cultures of indigenous peoples.
Aupito says it also boosts the confidence of Pacific youth in New Zealand to pick up their native tongue.
"Rotuma language obviously is identified by UNESCO as being vulnerable. And of course what we've seen with Kiribati is there's a decline in, a growing trend of fewer people picking up the languages."
Rotuman tutor Fesaitu Solomone says her people have always aimed to have their culture and language officially recognised in Aotearoa.
"There's visibility for our Rotuman people here. Our language and culture has been at the forefront for our people as well. It is a huge step forward for everybody here in New Zealand."
Ms Solomone says preparations are already underway for this year's celebrations, which will also mark Rotuma Day in May - to mark when the island was ceded to Britain in 1881.
"Our Rotuman community groups that has continued to work in this space specifically New Zealand Rotuman Fellowship Incorporated Group and also the Auckland Rotuman Fellowship as well. So everybody has contributed to this space as well. And the government recognising us as a key platform as part of the language week is a good place for us to be in at the moment."
Aupito says the Pacific Language Weeks will be supported by the 2019 Wellbeing Budget allocation of $20 million over four years so the Ministry for Pacific Peoples can establish a new Pacific Language Unit, with a set of language support functions to help ensure the survival of Pacific languages.
"It's the beginning of a new decade and I just think that we have an opportunity to magnify the value of our Pacific languages, magnify the competitive advantage in our bilingualism provides - not only for Pacific peoples but also for Aotearoa New Zealand."
This year's Pacific language celebrations begin with Rotuma in May and end with Tokelau in October.
