NZ Tuvalu Language Week

By NZ Tuvalu Language Week | Posted: Wednesday Sep 30, 2026

Over 3,000 kilometres away from the islands of Tuvalu, a community in Oamaru is keeping a piece of home alive in New Zealand.

Through language, traditional crafts, songs and dance, Sapeta Manaia and the Tuvalu Oamaru Community Group are helping local Tuvalu families connect with their culture and inspiring young people to carry traditions into the future.

With a community of more than 200 people, the group has been running workshops supported through the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Pacific Languages Community Fund, bringing generations together to learn from elders and share their knowledge with young Tuvaluans.

The workshops have also been an opportunity for Sapeta to learn more about her own culture.

“When I took on this project, I realised how much I needed to still learn about my Tuvalu culture. This was the best project to provide that learning and most importantly for our children,” says Sapeta.

For Sapeta, keeping the Tuvalu language and culture alive is about building confidence and helping young people feel proud of who they are.

“I want them to walk into their classrooms at school and be proud of who they are, not to be shy that they speak a different language. I want them to know that it’s important and they are important. Their culture and language are important and not to be shy about where they come from.

"Be proud to be Tuvaluan.”

Read more about Sapeta and Tuvalu Oamaru Community Group: https://bit.ly/47oXJ9G