- Hon Barbara Edmonds
Kiribati communities are gearing up to celebrate Tungaru language this week, as Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week 2023 gets underway.
"Our Language Week Series provides an opportunity for all i-Kiribati people to celebrate culture, identity and language of the islands," Barbara Edmonds said.
"This year the theme for the week is 'Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru' which translates to 'Nurture, enhance and sustain the Tungaru language and culture.'
"Tungaru is the name given to the people of Kiribati by their ancestors, with the Tungaru culture and language playing a pivotal role in identity and wellbeing.
"Of the 3,225 i-Kiribati people who call New Zealand home, 50 percent speak the Tungaru, 20 percent of those born here can speak it, and 24 percent under the age of 15 speak the language.
"There is a real push by Kiribati groups around the country to keep increasing these statistics, and continue highlighting the importance of sustaining language and culture for next generation.
"Our 2022 Pacific Languages Strategy illustrates that investing in, and growing Pacific bilingual and multilingual speakers is hugely beneficial for Aotearoa.
"It will help lift educational outcomes, enhance employment and earning opportunities, create cultural connections that improve wellbeing, and build the confidence and identity of our Pacific peoples.
"Through Budget 2023, we've invested $13.3 million to progress this strategy and ensure our communities better connect, learn and grow our languages.
"This week Kiribati groups will be hosting in-person and online events focused on learning Tungaru language through cultural practices, storytelling, crafts, dance and music. A highlight of the week will also include celebrations for Kiribati Independence Day on July 12.
"I want to encourage all Kiwis to get behind Kiribati Language Week and learn something new about our Pacific neighbours - such as the greetings Mauri (welcome), Ko rabwa (thank you), and Ti a bo (goodbye)," Barbara Edmonds said.
Kiribati Language Week runs from 9 to 15 July. More information and resources can be found on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website.
E reitia kain Kiribati i aon Aotearoa Wikin aia Taetae
A tabe ni kakatauraoi ngkai kain Kiribati ibukin bukamaruan wikin aia taetae n Tungaru, n aron ae e ataki bwa Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - e nang roko Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati 2023.
"Wikin taian taetae aika a kakaraoaki e karekea naba aia tai kain Kiribati ni kabane ni bukamarua aia katei, kinakia ao taetaen abaia," e taku Barbara Edmonds.
"Te boto n iango n te ririki aio ibukia kain Kiribati bon 'Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae n Tungaru' ae rairana n Imatang bon 'Nurture, enhance and sustain the Tungaru language and culture.'
"Tungaru bon te ara ae a anganaki kain Kiribati irouia aia bakatibu, ma te katei ao te taetae n Tungaru boni ngaia taian kabanea ni kakawaki ibukin kinakia ma aroia ao maiuia.
"Man 3,225 I-Kiribati aika a atonga Nutiran bwa mwengaia, 50 te katebubua ma iai aika a rabakau n taetae n Tungaru, 20 te katebubua man ake a bungiaki ikai aika a rabakau n taetae iai, ao ti 24 te katebubua i an te ririki ke te roro ae 15 te ririki aika a rabakau naba.
"Iai te kaungaunga ke te kaumaki ma te kairoro irouia kain Kiribati n te aba aio bwa a na teimatoa ni kakerakea te mwaiti ke te ware aei, ao n teimatoa ni katurua kakawakin kateimatoan te taetae ao te katei ibukia te roro n taai aika a na roko.
"E katereaki man ara 2022 Pacific Languages Strategy bwa karikirakean ao kabirirakean te konabwai n taetae n uoua ke e riaon uoua te taetae n te Betebeke e na rang korakora bonganana ibukin Aotearoa.
"E na ibuobuoki ni kakerakea tamaroan mwin te reirei, e na karikirakea mwaitin te mwakuri ma te karekemwane, e na karekei reitaki i nanon taian katei aika a na karaoiroa te maiu, ao e na kakorakora aia konabwai aomata ma kinakia ae kain te Betebeke.
"Rinanon te Kataumwane ibukin 2023, ti a tia n karikirakea $13.3 te mirion ibukin kawakan te kainibaire aio ike ti na taraia bwa a na reitaki raoi ara botanaomata ke komuniti, a na reiakinaki ao e na rikirake taetaen abaia.
"N te wiki aio ao iai baika a na karaoaki irouia kain Kiribati ma aia kurubu i online ao bon i marenaia are e na katuruaki iai reiakinan taetaen Tungaru rinanon taian katei, te karaki, mwakuri, mwaie ao anene ke katangtang. N te wiki naba aio are e na karaoaki iai kanuringan Inaomatan Kiribati n 12 Turai.
"I kan kaungaia naba kain Nutiran ni kabane bwa a na boutoka Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati ao n reirei baika a boou ma irouia kain rarikira aika kain te Betebeke - n aron te kamauri ae Mauri, Ko rabwa, ao Ti a bo," e taku Barbara Edmonds.
E na karaoaki Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati man 9 Turai nakon 15 Turai. A kona n reke rongorongona riki n ana website te Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
