Mālō e lelei! This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga
Did you know…
- At the time of the last census (which was in 2006), there were 50,000 Tongans in New Zealand
- They were the third largest Pacific group, after Samoans (131,000) and Cook Islanders (58,000), and the fastest growing group
- Tongans born in New Zealand account for 56% of the total world-wide Tongan population. this means there are more Tongans born in NZ then there are in Tonga.
- Just over 60% of Tongans speak the Tongan language, but only 40% of those born in New Zealand speak it.
Why not give the Tongan language a go this week? Here’s some great books to get you started:
And here’s a great website with some useful phrases. See if you can you figure out what this means: Hoku vakapuna tētē ‘i ‘olunga fono ‘i he toke
Toki sio!
ahi