With many Tuvaluans now calling places like Aotearoa home, holding onto language and culture becomes both a challenge and a calling. Photo: RNZ / Tiana Haxton
As Tuvalu Language Week is celebrated across Aoteraoa, communities have come together under the theme "Faipati mo te mautinoa kae amanaia tou fakavae - Speak confidently and respect your foundation."
Earlier in the week, a flag-raising ceremony in Wellington marked the start of celebrations, with arts, crafts, and community events taking place around the country throughout the week.
Small in size but rich in culture and spirit, Tuvalu is the world's fourth smallest nation, just 26 square kilometres of land scattered across nearly a million square kilometres of ocean.
Home to around 11,400 people, more than half of the population lives on the capital island of Funafuti, the main island.
With many Tuvaluans now calling places like Aotearoa home, holding onto language and culture becomes both a challenge and a calling.
For Asita Molotii, co-founder of the Tuvalu Alliance for Sustainable and Inclusive Action Network (TASIAN), this year's Language Week theme is both fitting, and important.
"Tasi means unity," Molotii said. "It also speaks to equity, inclusiveness, and togetherness. Tatou Tasi - we are in this together- is at the heart of everything we do."
"It's a fantastic opportunity for all of us Pacific. You know, language is our identity… even when we are away from home, home away from home, as they call it... especially these young generations, they're still proud to wear their Tuvaluan hat. They are still proud to be Tuvaluans."
TASIAN is a grassroots movement sparked by passionate Tuvaluan's in Aotearoa, working alongside women's groups, churches, and community leaders to uplift vulnerable voices and strengthen culture.
While still formally developing, the alliance reflects a powerful shift - young Tuvaluans stepping up to lead their own journey.
Molotti said many people are inspired by the rising leadership of young Tuvaluans and the intergenerational approach they embrace.
"The youth are tomorrow, they are today, and they are for tomorrow, and they can do so much for their elders. They can do so much for their community," she said.
Traditionally in Tuvalu, leadership often comes with age and experience, Molotti said. Today, however, youth are stepping up to the plate early.
"Very often in our cultural fact, we usually think your leadership comes when you know you have to serve… and then be a leader in the end... But this time, I think youth can actually take the lead, because they can do so much for us older generations," Molotti added.
Pride has been on full display this year as the group facilitated te ano, a traditional Tuvaluan ball game that is being played across Aotearoa.
"It signifies their very own way of doing things, of playing. The traditional te ano is a very old traditional game that is still very much alive in New Zealand with the Tuvalu," said Molotti.
The game, she said, is simple but traditional, often described as a mix between volleyball and murderball.
"Te ano is, like most games, two teams divided... There is that small ball, smaller than the volleyball, but very heavy and hard. So it's made of pandanus leaves... They weave using pandanus leaves to actually make the ball bigger and heavier," Molotti said.
Traditionally played on the malae (village green), two teams face off in a lively exchange where the goal is simple: keep the ball from hitting the ground.
The game begins when the tino pukepuke (catcher) throws the ball to the alovaka (captain), who bats it toward the opposing team. The rest of the players, known as the vaka, work together to keep the ball in play and return it. Points are scored when the other team drops it.
It is said to embody core Tuvaluan values of equity, unity, and participation.
"The rules are actually open. There's no limited numbers on each side... Anyone that comes by just to watch and want to join, you can join... There's no rules regarding that. So I like the whole idea, because it depicts inclusiveness... and it's equity as well," Molotti said.
The recent te ano game in Auckland brought together Tuvaluans of all ages, including toddlers and elders.
"The park was actually packed with young ones, the little ones... The young parents, they bring their little ones to be there…It brings people together. So it's about, yeah, enjoying (ourselves)."
Tuvalu Language Week wraps up on Saturday.
Some events include a closing ceremony at Mungavin Hall in Wellington, and a Tuvalu musical talent night at Christchurch's North New Brighton Community centre.
