Sunday 7 June 2026

Did you know that this week is Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoan Language Week?

Across the motu (Aotearoa New Zealand), Samoan Language Week was celebrated in schools and communities.  This of course is dear to my heart being Samoan, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to speak at a school in Auckland, where the principal has a large roll of Pacific and Māori families.

At the same time, my home country of Samoa was celebrating 64 years of independence — Malo Tuto‘atasi. Samoa was once governed by Germany and later administered under New Zealand for 40 years following the First World War.

The theme for Samoan Language Week this year is:

“E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu‘u” – “From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.”

This Samoan proverbial expression carries many meanings when reflected upon in the context of Samoan life. It is deeply rooted in our environment — the forests, the oceans, the mountains, and the horizon — the natural resources that have sustained our people for generations.

Before the days of machinery, our ancestors relied on the land and sea for survival. Trees were planted and harvested for food, shelter, cooking, and everyday needs. The forests provided wildlife for hunting, while the oceans supplied fish that nourished families and villages. The mountains, the land, the sea, and the horizon have always been important resources that supported and sustained the Samoan way of life.

Samoa’s national motto, “Fa‘avae i le Atua Samoa” (“Samoa is founded on God”), reminds us that the ‘highest mountain’ (part of the proverb) is a picture of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, from whom all blessings flow. The blessings of family, village, church, and country come from God.

What a special week it has been for me as a Samoan born in Apia, from the families of Auva‘a, Leifi, Mataia, Asiata, and Unasa, whom I honour and thank for their prayers and support for my family and I while ministering in Tauranga Moana. Hallelujah!

I finished the talk with words from Psalm 103:1–2:

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Here is the scripture in Samoan, perhaps you could try to say it.

“Lo‘u agaga e, ia e fa‘amanu atu iā Ieova, o mea uma fo‘i o i totonu iā te a‘u ia fa‘amanu i lona suafa pa‘ia. Lo‘u agaga e, ia e fa‘amanu atu iā Ieova, aua fo‘i ne‘i galo se mea e tasi o ana meaalofa.”

Ia manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa.

Happy Samoan Language Week.

Blessings

Enosa