Fagali‘i and Leauva‘a student draws on strength of Sāmoan culture
05 June 2025
Sāmoan culture is support pillar for Manaaki scholar Angela-Lani Ah Sam Tuiafiso.
Celebrating Sāmoan Language Week 1 - 7 June
Manaaki scholar Angela-Lani Ah Sam Tuiafiso says leaning on her Sāmoan culture has helped with the challenges of studying toward a Bachelor of Science degree.
Tuiafiso is living proof of the 2025 theme for Samoa Language Week: ‘Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā – A well-grounded self, is a successful self’.
It speaks to a well-crafted sailing vessel: careful planning and construction ensures a safe journey to face the open seas. Similarly, a person who is well prepared to navigate life’s challenges will succeed in their endeavours. No matter the challenges and hardships of life, a well-grounded person will not be easily shaken or defeated because they are firmly rooted and well-prepared.
Majoring in Environmental Science, Tuiafiso has been in Aotearoa New Zealand for two years and says her faith and culture have helped to navigate university life, while living far from her homeland Sāmoa and family.
She joined her fellow Manaaki scholars last month meeting with the Sāmoa Public Service Commission and Education New Zealand at the Fale Pasifika; the group talked about the progress of their studies, as well as having discussions about the realities of student life, while studying in a foreign country.
As the saying goes, where there is no language, there is no culture. Where there is no culture, darkness descends on the village. Our language is what protects and carries our culture. Let us nurture it, for the sake of a brighter future for our nation.
Meet Angela-Lani Ah Sam Tuiafiso
Talofa lava! O lo’u igoa o Angela-Lani Ah Sam Tuiafiso mai le alalafaga o Fagalii ma Leauvaa i Samoa. O lo’o a’otauina au l le tikeri faavae i le matapu fa’asaienisi i le Universite a Aukilani. O lenei vaiaso, e faamanatu ai le Gagana Samoa, e manatua ai upu masani a le atunuu, a leal se Gagana, ua leal se aganuu, a leai se aganuu ua po le nu'u. I le tele o suiga o nei ona po, aemaise le nofomamao mai le atunuu pele, o le Gagana Samoa e maua ai le loto fiafia, aua talanoaga ma pesepesega e pei lava o lae i Samoa. E le gata i feso’otaiga, ao le tauaveina o tu ma aga fa’aleaganuu ia tatou manatua le tatou measina sili.
Pei o upu o le atunuu, “A leai se gagana, ua leai se gganuu, a leai se aganuu ona po Lea o le nu’u. O la taua gagana e malu ai la ta aganuu. la teu malu iai, aua se taeao manuia a lo tatou atunuu.”
I le aumau ai i Niu Sila ona o aoaoga, e iai lava taimi e lagona ai le faavaivai ona o le valavala ma aiga o loo tapuai mai i Samoa. Tele foi luitau e ono lepetia ai le ola taumafai, a’o le faatasi mai o le Alii i taimi uma o loo maua ai pea le mafanafana ma le malosi e faaauau ai aoaoga i nei atunuu. Talosia i le alofa o le Alii e aulia manuia atu le 2026 o loo faamoemoe e maea ai aoaoga i lenei fa’ailoga. Fa’amanuia le Alii i le fa’amanatuina o le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa.
"Talofa Lava! My name is Angela-Lani Ah Sam Tuiafiso from the villages of Fagali‘i and Leauva‘a in Samoa. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Auckland.
“As the saying goes, where there is no language, there is no culture. Where there is no culture, darkness descends on the village. Our language is what protects and carries our culture. Let us nurture it, for the sake of a brighter future for our nation.
“In pursuit of a higher level of education, through the Manaaki Scholarship Scheme, I was faced with contradicting feelings. Specifically, those of gratefulness but also a sense of fear and doubt as I trek this part of my life on my own, away from my family, my home, and the pillars of familiarity that greet me on a daily basis.
“On this note, since leaving Samoa, and being in New Zealand for the past two years, it has not been an easy voyage, the challenges and obstacles thrown in my path has been never-ending, beyond academic stress, to encompass emotional longing, and being physically exhausting.
“However, the grace of God, his love and strength, his blessings upon my family, my friends and myself, have been my stronghold. Our Heavenly Father, is great, no other exceeds his power nor his love. May He bless the remainder of this semester, and continue to rain his love on us always.
“May God bless the celebration of Samoa Language Week.”