Tongan Language Week, known as Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga, is being celebrated at both campuses from 17 to 23 August 2025.

The week is celebrated across Aotearoa annually to honour and promote the Tongan language and culture, and coordinated by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

It also recognises the 97,824 people of Tongan ethnicity who reside in New Zealand, according to Stats NZ (2023 Census).

The theme for this year is "Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe'unu mahu'inga ia ki he mo'ui 'a e Tonga," which translates to "Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture.

Unitec’s Tongan Language Week Komiti have organised an event to celebrate Tongan culture and language in Te Puna, Mt Albert campus on Thursday 21 August.

What: Unitec Tongan Fashion Show 
When: Thursday, 21 August 2025, from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
Where: Te Puna (Building 180), Level 1 in front of Ask Me desk.

“The purpose of this event is to engage, interact and educate our non-Tongan Unitec staff and students to embrace in a fun activity of learning the Tongan language (lea fakatonga) as well as gain knowledge of Tonga’s cultural heritage,” says Komiti member and Research Administrator, ‘Aki Te’evale ( Fakakakai, Ha’apai mo Kolomotu’a, Tongatapu).

“If you’re free, please come join us celebrate, embrace, and represent our proud little island the Kingdom of Tonga.”

This event will be led by our Unitec Tongan staff and in collaboration with our Tongan/Pacific learners.

The TLW Komiti also issued a statement which reflects on this year’s theme: 
“'Oku mahu'inga e tau lea faka-Tonga ki he kaha'u ‘o e Tonga mo e tau fanau, he kapau 'e 'ikai  te tau fai ha ngāue ki he fakaakeake mo e fakatolonga ‘a e lea faka-Tonga 'e mole.
“The Tongan language is crucial for the future of Tonga and our children. If no action is taken to revitalise and preserve the language, it will be lost”

Ko ia 'oku māfana mo mateuteu ‘a e Komiti, ke talitali lelei e kāinga kotoa pē ke tau fakataha mai 'o katoanga'i  ‘a e lea faka-Tonga he uike kaha’u.”
“Therefore, we the committee are prepared with Tongan warmth & passion to welcome all family and friends to celebrate the Tongan Language Week.”

Team Leader Mentoring and Scholarships, Helena Finau-Hakalo (Taunga, Neiafu Vava’u, Fanga ko fēfē ho loto – Fua’amotu) adds: “As Tongan kaimahi at Unitec, our professional practice and the way we support students and work alongside staff are underpinned by the four golden pillars of Tongan culture: Faka'apa'apa (respect), Anga fakatokilalo/Loto to (humility), Tauhi vaha'a/Vā (cultivating healthy relationships), and Mamahi'i me'a (loyalty/passion).”

Second year nursing ākonga and Unitec Student Council rep, Irene is proud of her Tongan roots, hailing from the village of Ma'ufanga on Tongatapu island. “I love our Tongan food the most, especially Lū (taro leaves with coconut cream). Find out more about Irene in Unitec’s Tongan Language Week promotional video .

 

Quick Facts about Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga is located in the Polynesian region of the Pacific ocean approximately 1,800km north of from New Zealand. Tonga has 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. As of 2021, Tonga has a population of 104,494, 70% of whom reside on the main island, Tongatapu.

Tonga was first inhabited roughly 2,500 years ago by people who were a part of the Lapita culture, Polynesian settlers who gradually evolved a distinct and strong ethnic identity, language, and culture as the Tongan people.

From 1900 to 1970, Tonga had British protected-state status,  but Tonga never relinquished its sovereignty to any foreign power.

In 2010, Tonga took a decisive step away from its traditional absolute monarchy and became a semi-constitutional monarchy.

Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Alliance of Small Island States.