Gagana Sāmoa 2023 at Waipapa Taumata Rau

 Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga – be proud of your language and grounded in your identity

From Sunday 28 May to Saturday June 3, Aotearoa celebrates Gagana Sāmoa - Sāmoan Language Week.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific office invites you to celebrate Gagana Sāmoa, with a series of events that kick off today.

Monday 29 May

Part 1 – ‘Ava ceremony

An ‘ava ceremony (or kava), is one of Sāmoa's most important chiefly customs, an exchange of important discussions or talanoa. The University ‘ava ceremony will formally open Sāmoan Language Week. At this event we will be welcoming the Pacific Island Association Student leaders and the University of Auckland Pro-vice Chancellor Pacific.

Venue: Fale Pasifika
Time: 11am-2pm

Part 2 – Lotu Afiafi, a collaborated event with Pacific Island Law Student Association

Lotu Afiafi (or loku) is an important aspect of everyday Sāmoan life. This is a time where families gather in fellowship and prayer. In Sāmoan culture, everything begins and ends in giving all glory and thanks to God. Prayer and faith play a large role in Sāmoan households, and our lotu afiafi will allow our students to fellowship together and experience this sacred part of the Sāmoan culture.

The theme for this loku is sacrifice. Sacrifice is prominent in the lives of Pacific peoples (and students) when we are torn between the commitments and expectations in our academic life and life outside of University. We must make important decisions that are based around our priorities and also consider the sacrifices that others have made for us to be here, what we have, and what we want to become.

Venue: C-space (Cultural Space)
Time: 6-8pm

Tuesday 30 May

Siva Sāmoa

Siva Samoa is an important part of Sāmoan culture and history. It’s a creative tool of expression, a way to tell the stories of the people of Sāmoa, and to share knowledge. This event will be led by the UASSA cultural officers and is a beginner’s dance class for both male and female. This is an amazing opportunity that we’d love to share with our members.

Venue: Fale classrooms
Time: 6-8pm
Number of participants: 30+

Thursday 1 June

Samoan Independence Day

Independence Day marks an important part of Sāmoan history, as the island became the first Pacific Nation to gain independence from New Zealand. To celebrate this achievement, UASSA in collaboration with AUPISA, will be hosting a showcase that demonstrates different aspects of the culture.

Venue: The University of Auckland Recreation Centre
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm