It’s Samoa Language Week
AUT is a proud supporter of the national Pacific Language Weeks campaign, with the University’s Office of Pacific Advancement (OPA) team working alongside students to elevate their personal experiences of Pacific culture, practices and language; taonga to be protected and sustained.
Taonga means treasure in Te Reo Māori and in Gagana Samoa, a similar concept is measina.
The taonga highlighted in AUT’s storytelling keep people connected to their Pacific language, identity and heritage, as well as offering insights into the rich cultures of the Pacific. They are often ancient, deeply significant culturally, spiritually and socially and practices which are shared by many in the University’s wider community.
For Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa| Samoa Language Week, we showcase the tatau; the traditional Samoan tattoo and more specifically, the malofie – the traditional tatau worn by Samoan men.
More than a tattoo, the malofie and the malu are part of the sacred ‘laei’ of Samoa; the adornments that clothe a person in identity, dignity, and belonging. The malu is the traditional tatau of Samoan women and like the malofie, it carries generations of honour, sacrifice, and service with each pattern telling a story and each mark carrying responsibility. Each tatau reflects a connection to family, village, and culture.
In this video AUT Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences student, Julius Netzler, shares the story of his tatau.
He says, “My tatau is a representation of my service; whether that be to my family, my church, or my village. It’s a humble reminder of the journey I’m on. Our ancestors who have gone before us have blessed us with a rich culture. It’s told in so many ways; through our siva (dances) our measina - like the tatau I wear.
“From the start of my back, down to my knees, is a whole story of the journey of our Samoan people. And it’s applicable to anything in life. We all go through our own journeys or reach different destinations but the important and interesting part is the journey.”
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ theme for Samoa Language Week this year is 'E Afua Mai I Mauga Tetele Manuia O Le Nu'u', meaning ‘From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.’
The Ministry proudly supports each community in delivering their Pacific Language Week by providing resources and amplifying their efforts across our social media channels. The 12 language weeks across the year include Bislama, Rotuma, Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands Māori, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue, Tokelau and Solomon Islands.
Samoan greetings and other resources for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, including email signatures and printable posters, are available on the website of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
To watch each video in the 2026 AUT Pacific language video series as they are launched, watch on the AUT Pacific YouTube channel.