WALT: Write about Tongan language week

Tongan Language Week

Mālō e lelei this week is Tongan language week

Tongan language week celebrates the culture and language of Tonga, and
It starts from Sunday 2 September to Saturday 8 September.

Tongan is spoken by over 650 people in Christchurch, and more than 60,000 people of Tongan heritage live in New Zealand, they include famous All blacks, creative artists, hip-hop and opera singers.

Tongan Language week gives an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the language, art and culture of the Tongan Islands. Tonga gives an opportunity to celebrate Tongan culture through music, song, dance, food, crafts and language.

 Fun Fact: There are more Tongans born in NZ then there are in Tonga. over 60% of Tongans speak the Tongan language. But only 40% of those born in New Zealand speak it.


Some words in Tongan                  
English                        Tongan

hello                            Mālō e lelei -  Mālō ‘etau lava
Long time no see       Fuoloa 'e fepulingaki
What's your name?   Ko hai ho hingoa?
My name is ..             Ko hoku hingoa ko...
Good luck                  Monū'ia