Tonga Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga – will be celebrated across Aotearoa New Zealand from 17 to 23 August 2025.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone says the Ministry for Pacific Peoples is proud to support the Tongan community as they work to strengthen their language for the future.
“The Tongan language is more than a way of speaking – it is a living link to ancestral wisdom, community strength, and cultural pride.
“This year’s theme reminds us that when we nurture our language, we strengthen the very strands that hold our identity together. We encourage everyone to take part in events, speak the language at home, and support our young people to learn and use lea faka-Tonga every day,” says Gerardine.
Head of Department, Tongan at James Cook High School and member of Lea-ki-Moana, Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u, shares how language connects her to her people.
“Being Tongan and speaking Tongan means carrying the stories, values, and spirit of our ancestors. Whether it’s at church, family gatherings, or everyday conversations, our language keeps our culture alive. It is a living treasure that shapes who we are and who we will become,” says Fane.
“One proverb I treasure is ‘Lusia ki Taulanga’, which encourages us to keep pursuing our dreams and to preserve our language for future generations. Even as our language changes - like using words such as sitetisitika for statistics or komipiuta for computer, it still carries our unique Tongan worldview,” she adds.
The theme for 2025 is Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga – Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture. It reflects the deep connection between the Tongan language (lea faka-Tonga) and cultural practices (anga faka-Tonga) that sustain Tongan identity.
Like strong fe’unu (strands) woven into a traditional mat, language and culture are inseparable, grounding Tongans in values, spirituality, and belonging – whether in Tonga or across the diaspora.
This year’s celebrations will feature workshops, storytelling, lakalaka (dance), music, arts and crafts, and the chance to enjoy traditional cuisine such as lu sipi, ota ika, and faikakai. These events build bridges between generations - moments for elders to pass on knowledge and for young people to take pride in their heritage.
Join in the celebrations, learn a Tongan phrase, and explore resources to help keep the language alive.
The Tonga Language Week webpage and the Facebook page has information on events, resources and language guides.