The Fiji community across the country has begun the week long celebrations this afternoon, Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week. More than 19,000 people identify as Fijian live in New Zealand.
The theme Noqu Vosa ai vakadei ni noqu Tiko Vinaka – My language provides stability to my well-being, is a timely message for the country and the people in Auckland and now Hamilton and parts of the Waikato who are in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 restrictions.
Fiji is the seventh of nine Pacific Language Weeks to be held this year. Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti will run from 3-9 October.
To coincide with the celebrations, Pacific Dance New Zealand Artist in residence Alipate Traill is calling for people to take part in the World’s Largest Online Meke challenge with people performing the Meke online simultaneously on Monday 4 Oct at 7.00pm.
Fijian Language Week Facebook Page
Image credit: Ministry for Pacific Peoples / Facebook