Pasifika
Kia orana, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni and warm Pacific greetings. Our Pasifika collection brings together resources focusing on Pacific knowledge, heritage and identity, particularly those that support the learning and retention of Pacific languages and culture.
Pasifika collections
Our Pasifika collections provide access to Pacific knowledge, heritage and identity, with a particular focus on helping Pacific Islanders retain their language and culture. Separate Pasifika collections can be found at:
- Aranui Library
- Matatiki Hornby Centre
- Ngā Moutere o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa / Pasifika on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2, Tūranga.
Some of the same material is found in general collections held in all our libraries.
It includes resources in the following Pacific languages - Niuean, Rarotongan, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tongan. A large proportion of the Pasifika language material is for children. Some titles for children in these languages are also in Family Place, Hapori | Community, Level 1.
Specialist staff are available to help with researching Pasifika topics including family history. Use the Book a Librarian form to make an appointment.
Browse the Pasifika collection.
Confluence: WORD Christchurch Festival 2025
Indigenous writers and performers exploring their connections across the Pacific at Confluence.
Speak up - Kōrerotia podcast: Samoa Citizenship Act
Podcast episode about the 2024 amendment to NZ's Samoa citizenship act. With suggested reading on Samoan people in New Zealand.
Canterbury rugby team bringing the Ranfurly Shield home
Canterbury Reserve Prop Tala Kele with his daughter and the Ranfurly Shield at Christchurch Airport,1994. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Fala Time at Aranui Library, part of a series
Seeking help with research, exploring family history, or looking for guidance on community events? Our Pasifika Librarians are here to help.
Confluence: WORD Christchurch Festival 2025
Indigenous writers and performers exploring their connections across the Pacific at Confluence.
Speak up - Kōrerotia podcast: Samoa Citizenship Act
Podcast episode about the 2024 amendment to NZ's Samoa citizenship act. With suggested reading on Samoan people in New Zealand.
Canterbury rugby team bringing the Ranfurly Shield home
Canterbury Reserve Prop Tala Kele with his daughter and the Ranfurly Shield at Christchurch Airport,1994. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Fala Time at Aranui Library, part of a series
Seeking help with research, exploring family history, or looking for guidance on community events? Our Pasifika Librarians are here to help.
Vā Pasifika – Christchurch City Libraries Pasifika Staff Network
Vā Pasifika bring the Pacific into our libraries and our libraries out to the Pacific.
In 2012 a number of Pasifika staff from the library formed a group with the aims of creating networking opportunities and support for Pasifika programmes and initiatives within Christchurch City Libraries. This group, known as Vā Pasifika, is made up of passionate Pasifika women from predominantly Samoan and Niuean backgrounds. Rosie, Malo, Jan-Hai, Betty, Ebony, Lorna and Tai see their role as helping to increase the level of engagement between local libraries and Pasifika communities.
Pasifika Language Weeks
Since 2010 The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has been supporting Pacific Language Weeks, promoting and raising awareness of the diversity of our Pacific Languages.
Pasifika Language Weeks
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week
Ḁlalum 'ḁus 'e gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm te'is. Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week is on from Sunday 11 to Saturday 17 May 2025.
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week
Tālofa lava. Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week is on from Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 June 2025.
Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
Kam na bane ni mauri. Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week is on from Sunday 6 to Saturday 12 July 2025.
Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week
Halo. Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is on from Sunday 27 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
Cook Islands Māori Language Week
Kia orana! 'Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language week is on from Sunday 3 to Saturday 9 August 2025.
Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei. Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week is on from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 August 2025.
Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week
Halo olgeta. Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik - Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is on from Sunday 7 to Saturday 13 September 2025.
Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
Talofa koutou. Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week is on from Sunday 28 September to Saturday 4 October 2025.
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week
Ni sa bula kece sara. Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week is on from Sunday 5 to Saturday 11 October 2025.
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Faahi tapu he vagahau - Niue Language Week is on from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 October 2025.
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week
Mālo ni. Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week is on from Sunday 26 October to Saturday 1 November 2025.
Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week
Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik - Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week is on from Sunday 23 to Saturday 29 November 2025.
Pasifika Language Weeks
- Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week
- Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Sāmoa Language Week
- Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
- Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week
- ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week
- Uike Kātoanga'i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week
- Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
- Macawa ni Vosa VakaViti - Fijian Language Week
- Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue Week - Niue Language Week
- Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week
- Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik - Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week
- Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik - Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week
New Zealand language weeks
Cook Islands
Cook Islands
Cook Islands Māori Language Week
Kia orana! 'Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language week is on from Sunday 3 to Saturday 9 August 2025.
Cook Islands general resources
A selection of Kuki Airani resources that cover language, culture and protocols. The list is for the whole family to enjoy.
Cook Islands Language Week Craft - Ei Katu
Kia orana. Cook Islands Language Week - Te 'epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani is on this week. Make an Ei Katu!
Find Cook Islands resources in our collection
Fiji
Fiji
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week
Ni sa bula kece sara. Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week is on from Sunday 5 to Saturday 11 October 2025.
Fiji flag colouring in sheet
Celebrate Fiji Language Week Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti! Download our Fiji flag colouring in sheet! [86 KB PDF]
Fiji language books for children
Help your little ones learn the Fijian language by using these resources.
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week
Ni sa bula kece sara. Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week is on from Sunday 5 to Saturday 11 October 2025.
Fiji flag colouring in sheet
Celebrate Fiji Language Week Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti! Download our Fiji flag colouring in sheet! [86 KB PDF]
Fiji language books for children
Help your little ones learn the Fijian language by using these resources.
Find Fijian resources in our collection
Kiribati
Featured
Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
Kam na bane ni mauri. Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week is on from Sunday 6 to Saturday 12 July 2025.
Niue
Niue
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Faahi tapu he vagahau - Niue Language Week is on from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 October 2025.
Make a paper Niue greeting cube
Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Niue language (472 KB PDF).
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Faahi tapu he vagahau - Niue Language Week is on from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 October 2025.
Make a paper Niue greeting cube
Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Niue language (472 KB PDF).
Find Niuean resources in our collection
Rotuma
Rotuman resources
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week
Ḁlalum 'ḁus 'e gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm te'is. Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week is on from Sunday 11 to Saturday 17 May 2025.
Rotuman Language Week - Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta display
Photos of a display of Rotuman cultural items at Tūranga in celebration of Rotuman Language Week 2022.
Rotuman Resources
A selection of books highlighting the customs, history and culture of Rotuma and its people.
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week
Ḁlalum 'ḁus 'e gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm te'is. Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week is on from Sunday 11 to Saturday 17 May 2025.
Rotuman Language Week - Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta display
Photos of a display of Rotuman cultural items at Tūranga in celebration of Rotuman Language Week 2022.
Rotuman Resources
A selection of books highlighting the customs, history and culture of Rotuma and its people.
Samoa
Samoa
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week
Tālofa lava. Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week is on from Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 June 2025.
Speak up - Kōrerotia podcast: Samoa Citizenship Act
Podcast episode about the 2024 amendment to NZ's Samoa citizenship act. With suggested reading on Samoan people in New Zealand.
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week
Tālofa lava. Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week is on from Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 June 2025.
Speak up - Kōrerotia podcast: Samoa Citizenship Act
Podcast episode about the 2024 amendment to NZ's Samoa citizenship act. With suggested reading on Samoan people in New Zealand.
Find Samoan resources in our collection
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week
Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik - Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week is on from Sunday 23 to Saturday 29 November 2025.
Tokelau
Tokelau
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week
Mālo ni. Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week is on from Sunday 26 October to Saturday 1 November 2025.
Tokelau greeting cube
Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Tokelau language (1MB PDF).
Tokelau numbers colouring in sheet
Celebrate Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week. Download our numbers colouring in sheet [276KB PDF].
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week
Mālo ni. Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week is on from Sunday 26 October to Saturday 1 November 2025.
Tokelau greeting cube
Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Tokelau language (1MB PDF).
Tokelau numbers colouring in sheet
Celebrate Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week. Download our numbers colouring in sheet [276KB PDF].
Find Tokelauan resources in our collection
Tonga
Tonga
Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei. Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week is on from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 August 2025.
Tonga Language Week craft: Kiekie
Mālō e Lelei. Enjoy this Tonga Language Week Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga craft from Tiresa.
Tongan general resources
A selection of Tongan resources that cover language, culture and protocols. The list is for the whole family to enjoy.
Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei. Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week is on from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 August 2025.
Tonga Language Week craft: Kiekie
Mālō e Lelei. Enjoy this Tonga Language Week Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga craft from Tiresa.
Tongan general resources
A selection of Tongan resources that cover language, culture and protocols. The list is for the whole family to enjoy.
Find Tongan resources in our collection
Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
Talofa koutou. Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week is on from Sunday 28 September to Saturday 4 October 2025.
Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
Talofa koutou. Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week is on from Sunday 28 September to Saturday 4 October 2025.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week
Halo. Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is on from Sunday 27 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
Vanuatu
With over 100 languages spoken across its many islands, Vanuatu’s stories reflect a deep respect for kastom and a wealth of culture.
Vanuatu Bislama Language Week colouring in
Colour in your ngaio (feathered headpiece) and introduce yourself in Vanuatu Bislama! [1MB PDF]
Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week
Halo. Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik - Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is on from Sunday 27 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
Vanuatu
With over 100 languages spoken across its many islands, Vanuatu’s stories reflect a deep respect for kastom and a wealth of culture.
Vanuatu Bislama Language Week colouring in
Colour in your ngaio (feathered headpiece) and introduce yourself in Vanuatu Bislama! [1MB PDF]