It’s Tokelau Language Week
To support and celebrate thePacific Language Weeks series, AUT works alongside its alumni and students to elevate their experiences of Pacific culture, practices and language.
In recognition of Tokelau Language Week, AUT alumna, Estella Rimoni of Fakaofo, Tokelau, shares her hope for the next generation; that Tokelau youth continue to carry their culture with pride, taking it with them into every space and place they journey across the world.
Estella is a mother, educator and advocate for Te Gagana Tokelau (the Tokelauan language), and works as one of the leaders at Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata, a bilingual preschool. She has a master’s from AUT and comes from a family of teachers.
She says, “Our culture is a gift and it's also a responsibility. For me, it's intentionally living and breathing our Tokelauan identity through the stories that we tell so that our children and our future generations carry it wherever they go.
“I cherish Tokelau’s inati system and have vivid memories of growing up in Tokelau being part of the inati system. Inati is a system of collective sharing, equity, the community, and caring for one another. This system’s values of sharing and unity have helped shape who I am today. I carry these values with me always and strive to do more for our people at work and at home.
“Looking ahead, I aspire to continue growing as a leader in early childhood education and strengthen the cultural identity of our young Pacifika learners. I want to lead with cultural strength and excellence and it is my Tokelauan identity guides that journey and reminds me to lead with humility.
“To those on a Tokelauan language journey I’d say that I hope the children have the courage and want to learn our language and our culture because it’s part of us. We need to continue learning because Tokelau is a minority. I hope the people surround themselves by others who speak the Tokelauan language in the community and see how special it is.”
The 2026 theme for Tokelau Language Week is "Ke mauaka taku gagana Tokelau i taku aganuku" - My language is enriched and strengthened by my culture.
Tokelauan greetings and other resources for Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau, including email signatures and printable posters, are available on the website of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Tokelauan greetings and other resources for Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau | Tokelau Language Week, including email signatures and printable posters, are available on the website of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.