Human Rights Commission

National

FAGASA Inc, the Samoan Teachers Association, is a national partner in Samoan Language Week.

The Human Rights Commission is a national partner. The Race Relations Commissioner and Human Rights Commission staff will be promoting participation by local government and through the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, attending events, co-hosting the Samoan Language Week Facebook page and the SLW YouTube channel, hosting the SLW web pages and promoting the week to mainstream media.

The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) has produced a poster for general display across government departments nationwide. MPIA will also promote Friday 1 June as a Samoan Dress day – for all public servants to wear their favourite Samoan outfit and promote the use of Samoan greetings on the phone. On Wednesday 30 May, MPIA will host and acknowledge Samoan Language Week and Samoa 2012 with key Samoan community leaders, youth and elders at the Beehive, Parliament Buildings. By invite.  On Thursday 31 May, there will be an afternoon seminar/workshop for Samoan and non-Samoan public servants on the topic of ‘le va fealoa’I’  and its importance and application in the public sector.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is celebrating Samoan Language Week with Measina Samoa: Samoa cultural Treasures at Te Papa on Monday 28 May, Wednesday 30 May, 12.15pm – 12.45pm.  On Thursday 31 May, 6.30pm catch Samoana, a concert of Samoan music at Te Papa  Marae. On Friday 1 June, 12pm-1pm, celebrate through song and dance with Samoa mo Samoa.

Samoa 2012 is a website facilitated by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, and includes a full calendar year of events in Samoa and New Zealand to celebrate this milestone.

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and Language Perfect offer free access for everyone to learn basic Samoan. It’s easy, just sign up online , enter the code X1QNQQVA (this code is set up with access to Samoan, Tongan and Maori. NOTE:  Some of the words don’t have sound.)Follow instructions for creating a licence to Language Perfectand start learning.

Regional

Auckland

Auckland Libraries are marking and celebrating Samoan Language Week from 27 May-2 June with activities and special events, free for all ages Auckland wide.

Come and hear Auckland based Samoan author, Lani Wendt Young speaking about her writing, her inspirations and her book which is sweeping the world ‘Telesa: the coverant Keeper’. Find out about storytime sessions, craft activities, scavenger hunts and much more on the Auckland Libraries website or ask a librarian about events.

Auckland Libraries’ staff are celebrating Samoan Language Week together with their Auckland Council colleagues. A multitude of activities and events are planned for staff in the largest Pacific city in the world, to recognise the culture of Samoan New Zealanders.

Fetu Taiala Aoga Amata is having a special event on Friday 1 June from 10am at 29 Wickman Way Mangere .  The event will include :Sisiga fu’a a tamaiti (Raising of the Samoan Flag), items (Pese ma tauloto) and cooking for Samoan food

Samoan Language Week at Kowhai Intermediate, Kingsland, Auckland takes on a special significance of its own this year. The Samoan bilingual class are hosting a ‘Naming Ceremony’ that celebrates a new Samoan name for the unit Gāfoa le Ata -The Break of Dawn and commemorates the 50th year anniversary of Samoan Independence Day on Friday 1 June. In addition a full range of activities will take place throughout the week which includes a student-made Samoan museum display and a Samoan foods stall.

AUT University is hosting a debate on Tuesday 29 May from 5-7 pm to celebrate Samoan Language Week and the 50th anniversary of the Samoan Independence. The debate will be in the Samoan language.

Unitec Pacific staff and students will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of Samoa’s independence with a week long celebration of language and culture and a flag raising ceremony on Friday 1 June at 7.00AM at the Unitec  Mt Albert campus Samoa Fale. Details will be posted up on the Unitec Pacific Centre’s facebook page with daily status updates during Samoan Language week.

A Samoan Independence Ball  will be held Saturday 2 June in Auckland. Details are posted on the Samoa 2012 website.

Celebrate the week with Samoan Movies from the Pacific Education Centre on Thursday 31 May at 10 am. Check out the poster for details.

Christchurch

Christchurch City Libraries are celebrating Samoan Language Week for the first time. Join the celebration of things Samoan at Upper Riccarton Library, Monday 28 May, 9.30am and South Library, Thursday 31 May, 10.00am. There will be stories, songs, rhymes and poetry readings.

Wellington

The Victoria University of Wellington Library is celebrating all week long with a series of special events, and decorations and related resources on display at all campus libraries. Check out their  flyer for more information.

The Samoan Studies Programme at Victoria University of Wellington will hold two seminars on the theme, “Samoa mo Samoa: To respect Samoa is to know its history: The legacies of Pre and Post Independent Samoa.” The seminars will be held on 30 May and 6 June.  To RSVP contact Sylvyetta Hanipale.

Porirua College is celebrating Samoan Language Week and Samoan Independence with a programme on Friday, 1 June 2012 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The Minister of Education and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs the Honourable Hekia Parata  is launching the Samoan translation of  the book: Understanding NCEA: A relatively short and very useful guide for secondary school students and their families during Samoan language week. The book was written by Irena Madjar and Elizabeth McKinley of Starpath at Auckland University and is published by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) which is hosting the launch at Porirua College, from 5.30-7pm on Monday 28 May. Any inquiries about the book or the launch can be made to Sarah Boyd.

Aotea College will be celebrating Samoan Independence Day on Friday 1 June. The students will be performing and speaking in the Samoan language. There will also be a toonai (lunch) provided for guests and families. The programme will begin at 9am in the Aotea College Auditorium and finish at approximately 12pm.

The Samoan High Commission Independence celebration  will be Friday 1 June in Wellington. This is a yearly event hosted by Samoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, for Samoan community leaders. This year it will be hosted for the first time by the newly appointed High Commissioner, His Excellency Afioga Leasi Papali’itele Tommy Scanlan. By Invite.

Media

Plains FM 96.9  will play Samoan language vignettes throughout the day on Samoan Language Week. These will include teaching basic Samoan language and easy songs. The station’s Samoan broadcasters who present Samoan programmes Mondays – Fridays from 1-4pm, Saturdays 6-10am and some religious programmes during Sundays 6am – 1pm, will talk about  Samoan history, tourism and interview musicians.

 TVNZ Tagata Pasifika will do aseries of interviews and a special package for Samoan Language Week with both direct link in Samoa for independence and pre-taped segments.