Academic Development Lecturer Ioane Aleke Fa’avae, who also teaches Vagahau Niue (Niuean Language) at Manukau Institute of Technology, says the loss of language and culture is common among New Zealand-born Niueans who have grown up in an English-speaking environment.

Vagahau Niue (Niuean Language) is endangered among the diaspora.

There are close to 35,000 Niueans in New Zealand with around 80% being born here (2023 NZ Stats). However, less than five percent of NZ-born Niueans can speak their language fluently.

This reinforces the importance of Niuean Language Week, which is observed annually across Aotearoa and aimed at promoting the preservation of the language and culture through nationwide activities and community engagement.

This year’s theme ‘Fakatapunu, Ofania, mo e Fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue! – Elevate, Cherish, and use Vagahau Niue!’ has been the focus of Unitec’s celebrations.

Mr Fa’avae led an Iliili Fan Weaving workshop at the Koru Pod on Wednesday, which was attended by a number of kaimahi and ākonga of all backgrounds. This was followed by a traditional Niuean lunch prepared by Mr Fa’avae in the Pacific Centre.

“While the number of Niueans who can speak the language is few, many still retain strong links to Niue through family, land, traditions,” he says.

“I encourage NZ-born Niueans to reconnect with their tupuna (ancestors) through songs and participation in cultural events. I was born in Niue but came to New Zealand when I was very young. However, I was able to speak fluently by being actively engaged at home, school, church and work.”

Kaimahi Byron Iosia, Lesley Hodgson and Glenna Taulilo-Makaea were all born in New Zealand and shared similar stories of trying to reconnect with their Niuean language, culture and identity.

Byron Iosia

What do you do at Unitec and how long have you been working here?
I am the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and Youth Guarantee Team Lead and I’ve been at Unitec since 2020.

Where were you born and where do you come from?
I was born in New Zealand. My mother was born in Niue and comes from the northern village of Mutalau, which is the same village as famous Kiwi-Niuean musicians like Che Fu and the late Pauly Fuemana of OMC. My father is a second-generation New Zealand-born Niuean and comes from the village of Liku.

Do you speak Niuean?
I am not as fluent as someone who was born and raised on the island; however, I try my best to speak to my parents, aunties, uncles and cousins who are fluent in Niuean. I am more active now speaking it when I’m around other Niuean’s, especially the elderly in our communities, which they appreciate.

Was language and culture a big part of your upbringing?
It was often spoken around me in the home. I attended many cultural ceremonies growing up and had a haircutting ceremony as a young boy. We attended a Palagi church growing up so I didn’t experience what it was like to grow up in a Niuean congregation.

Why is knowing your language important to you? 
Your language is a massive part of your identity, and it is important to me because it was the language that my ancestors spoke.

What makes you proud to be Niuean?
I am proud that we prevented Captain Cook from landing on our island. I am proud of our rich culture and uniqueness, and our warrior history, especially the 150 brave young men who went to battle in World War One as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

What makes Niue unique in the Pacific islands?
I believe our food and cultural ceremonies sets us apart from the rest. The food we eat has not been influenced by other cultures. We still eat the food that our ancestors ate such as Takihi (a dish made with pawpaw, taro and coconut milk). We have a haircutting ceremony “Hifi ulu” for the boys and traditional ear -piercing ceremony for the girls called “Huki teliga”.

What do you love the most about Niuean culture?
I love the value of reciprocation, and in times of need, you can see the benefits of this practice.

How do you incorporate your culture and language into your role at Unitec?
I often introduce myself with a Niuean greeting and when asked to bless the food I will say a Liogi Kai (a prayer for the food) in Niuean.

Lesley Hodgson

What do you do at Unitec and how long have you been working here?
I’m an International Student Advisor with the International Success Team. I’ve been at Unitec for two years.

Where were you born and where do you come from?
Born in Okilani (Auckland). My Niuean ties are traced to Avatele, Niue (Meiehi family land).

Do you speak Niuean?
No, I’ve found that my connection to my mum’s Niuean culture goes beyond language. It’s deeply rooted in values, family, community, and shared experiences. Visiting Niue for the first time a few years ago and seeing where my mother, Tolini (Doreen) Tamasi, was born was incredibly special. Even though I don’t speak the language fluently, I still feel proud of my Niuean heritage and find meaningful ways to engage whether through cultural events, food, stories, or simply being part of the community.

Was language and culture a big part of your upbringing?
Growing up, Niuean culture was present in my life through family values, gatherings, and traditions, but the language wasn’t a strong part of my upbringing. While I didn’t speak Niuean fluently, I was surrounded by the warmth, respect, and strong sense of community especially through my mum and extended family. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more curious and prouder of my heritage, and I’m finding new ways to reconnect with both the language and cultural practices.

What makes you proud to be Niuean?
The strong sense of community and cultural richness that comes with our heritage.  Although Niue is a small island, the people are incredibly warm, generous, and very proud of who they are.

What makes Niue unique in the Pacific islands?
It’s very pure, untouched natural beauty. It has very fewer commercial development which help preserve its pristine environment and close-knit community feel.  Niue has a small population, everyone knows each other, there’s strong sense of belonging and that means that traditions and connections are deeply rooted. It’s unique, quiet charm and warmth of people make Niue truly special.

What do you love the most about Niuean culture?
Niuean culture is deeply rooted in a strong connection to both people and the land. At its heart are values of family and community, with a strong emphasis on respect, humility, and caring for one another from language and dance to food and storytelling.

How do you incorporate your culture and language into your role at Unitec?
Although I’m not fluent in the Niuean language, I still find meaningful ways to bring my culture into my role. I share my heritage through conversations, supporting cultural events like Niue Language Week, and wearing Niuean jewellery or a Niuean t-shirt to visually represent my identity. Whether I’m participating in celebrations or simply being present as someone of Niuean heritage, I aim to reflect the values of respect, community, and care in my everyday work.

Glenna Taulilo-Makaea

What do you do at Unitec and how long have you been working here?
Trades and Service Technician working in the Architecture Hard Materials Workshop in B108. I’ve been at Unitec for eight years and counting.

Where were you born and where do you come from?
I was born in New Zealand. My mother Siline Tatu is from Alofi south in Niue. My father Lavili Taulilo is from Hakupu.

Do you speak Niuean?
Unfortunately, I don't. Not for lack of trying and I'm not giving up just yet. For some context, my parents thought it best we learn English given that we were born here. They did speak in Niuean at home, but this lessened over time.

Has this been a barrier for you to connecting with your culture?
Yes, I think it has, I'm not completely comfortable when I see relatives who I know speak in the language and talk to me, I do understand a little, but I have to reply in English which is frustrating. It is important for our language to be spoken, I hear anecdotally that English is being used more on the island which saddens me if true.

Was language and culture a big part of your upbringing?
Yes, we often had large family gatherings at our house with very little English being spoken. There was almost a hair cutting every week, we spent time with extended family making umu's for family events.  My parents were heavily involved in village and zoned sports groups. It was a great way to get to know other Niuean’s in the area. I did eye spy my future husband at training, but we didn't get together until many years later.

What makes you proud to be Niuean?
I love our traditions, our language, we are one of the smallest islands in the pacific. 

What makes Niue unique in the Pacific islands?
We can turn our hand to most hand crafts - weaving, tie dye, embroidery, sewing, knitting, crochet, basket making. Our taro is the best in the Pacific, a bold statement I know, and we have some of the best offshore fishing.

What do you love the most about Niuean culture?
Our food - if you have tasted takihi, you know what i'm talking about.  Our traditions - hair cuttings and ear piercing ceremonies.

How do you incorporate your culture and language into your role at Unitec?
That can be challenging because of where I work on the daily, but when students and staff ask about my heritage, I'm happy to share and weave my cultural experiences into those conversations.