This week we celebrate Tokelau Language week – Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau.
2016 Theme
This year’s theme, is ‘Pokotau ki au kapuga – Ke mau mai tau foe’, which translates as ‘Challenge the size of the swirl made by your paddle’. This encourages Tokelauan families to take every opportunity available to learn, teach and hold on to their language, culture and identity.
Tokelau
Tokelau is territory of New Zealand and we supply about 60% of its Government budget and are responsible for its defence and security. New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade has more information on its governance, trade and aid.
Tokelau is made up of 3 coral atolls called Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu. Its actual land area is only around 12 square kilometres which are spread over 300,000 square kilometres. You cannot fly to Tokelau but you can access it by sea from Sāmoa which is 500 kilometres away. The Government of Tokelau website shares more information on the villages on these three atolls as well as their history which includes Peruvian enslavement in the 1860s and their colourful culture. For a taste of Tokelauan traditional dance, here is a video from the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts, in Guam this year.
Tokelauans in New Zealand
More than 7000 Tokelauans live in New Zealand compared with about 1380 who live in Tokelau. You can read about the first arrivals of Tokelauans in New Zealand in the 1950s and 60s in Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Tokelauan Language
Simple phrases Meaning Response Meaning
Mālō nī! Hello Mālō Hello
Tālofa nī! Hello Tālofa Hello
Tūlou nī! Excuse me E lelei Its ok
E ā mai koe? How are you? (to 1) Ko au e mālohi I am well
E ā mai koulua? How are you? (to 2) Ko māua e mālolohi We are both well
E ā mai koutou? How are you? (>2) Ko mātou e mālolohi We are all well
See The Ministry for Pacific Peoples for a downloadable language resource. Tau Gagana Tokelau and Government of Tokelau websites also have useful language resources.
Tokelauan resources in our Library
Pasifika subject guide
For a guide to books, databases and websites which include Pasifika nations including resources for Tokelau.
Ebook
Macgregor, G., Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, & New Zealand Electronic Text Centre. (2006). Ethnology of Tokelau Islands.
Video
Wolffram, P., Alewhohio, Kalameli Teinawho Ihaia, Ahelemo, Nive, Kele, Tipaha, & Handmade Productions Aotearoa. (2011). Te to’kie i nukunonu an introduction to Tokelau weaving. N.Z.]: Handmade Productions Aotearoa.
Books
Baker, V., & Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group. (2011). Ko loto o toku fale = Inside my house (Learning the Tokelau language). Porirua, N.Z.]: Published for the Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group by Vai-Creative Pub.
Baker, V., & Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group. (2011). Ko nā fuainumela = Numbers 1-10 (Learning the Tokelau language). Porirua, N.Z.]: Published for the Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group by Vai-Creative Pub.
Baker, V., & Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group. (2011). Ko na lanu = Colours (Learning the Tokelau language). Porirua, N.Z.]: Published for the Tokelau Wellington Leadership Group by Vai-Creative Pub.
Dominion Post. (2004). Ethnicity : Celebrating Wellington’s cultural diversity. Wellington [N.Z.]: Dominion Post.
Huntsman, J., & Hooper, Antony. (1996). Tokelau : A historical ethnography. Auckland {N.Z.} :: Auckland University Press.
Huntsman, J., & Kalolo, Kelihiano. (2007). The future of Tokelau : Decolonising agendas, 1975-2006. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland University Press.
Kaeppler, A., Blackburn, Mark, & Blackburn, Carolyn. (2010). Polynesia : The Mark and Carolyn Blackburn collection of Polynesian art. Honolulu: Mark and Carolyn Blackburn : Distributed by the University of Hawaiʻi Press.
Magee, J. (2011). New to New Zealand : Ethnic communities in Aotearoa : A handbook. (5th ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.]: Ethnic New Zealand Trust.
Tokelau. Ofiha o na Matakupu Tokelau. (1986). Tokelau dictionary. Apia, Western Samoa: Office of Tokelau Affairs.
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