Fewer than 1000 people in Aotearoa identify as Rotuman.
Photo: Dom Thomas
The Rotuman language is the first Pacific language to be celebrated in Aotearoa this week as part of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples (MPP) Language Weeks series.
A Rotuman community leader and chairperson of the Hata Collective (Rotuma Language Week NZ Rotuma Leaders Forum), Jioji Vai said the week plays a vital role in helping to preserve and pass on the language.
“Being Rotuman is more than just an ethnicity. I hope each person finds a renewed sense of purpose – that no matter your level of language or cultural proficiency you know this Rotuman language and culture is yours and that you don’t stop this week but keep this tēfakhanisi (gift) alive today, tomorrow and always,” Vai said.
Fewer than 1000 people in Aotearoa identify as Rotuman.
This year’s theme is “Treasure, nurture and teach our Rotuman language and culture so it may live on through generations.”
Vai adds that the language’s uniqueness lies in its vowels and the way they are expressed.
“The vowels are what makes the language unique. In the Pacific, Rotumans win when it comes to the number of variations in vowels. The Rotuman vowels are the basic vowels of the Pacific – A, E, I, O, U – but the many variations to the letters A, O, and U and adding macrons to some of our vowels, it can drag the sound of the vowel. The best way to learn is by audio or in conversation, not on paper,” Vai said.
Pacific Peoples secretary Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone saidMPP is proud to once again work alongside the Hata Collective, which represents many Rotuman communities in New Zealand, to support Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuam Ta – Rotuam Language Week.
“I encourage everyone to learn something about Rotuman language and culture this Rotuma Language Week,” Clifford-Lidstone said.
Rotuma Language Week runs from 10 to 16 May.
2026 Pacific Language Weeks dates
- Samoa Language Week – 31 May – 6 June
- Kiribati Language Week – 5 July – 11 July
- Vanuatu Language Week – 26 July – 1 August
- Cook Islands Māori Language Week – 2-8 August
- Tonga Language Week – 16-22 August
- Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week – 6-12 September
- Tuvalu Language Week – 27 September – 3 October
- Fijian Language Week – 4-10 October
- Niue Language Week – 18-24 October
- Tokelau Language Week – 25-31 October
- Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week – 22-28 November
