10 September 2007

Young Niueans and Cook Islanders urged to Mind Your Language

Innovative family and community based language learning resources are being made available to young people across New Zealand interested in learning Te Reo Maori o Kuki Airani, Cook Islands Maori and Vagahau Niue, the Niuean Language.

The Mind Your Language Cook Islands Maori and Vagahau Niue Resources have been developed by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in partnership with Ai Metua and Niu Development Inc, two organisations who are committed to seeing an increasing number of New Zealand born Niuean and Cook Islands people speaking their native language.

The second phase of Mind Your Language Vagahau Niue sees the launch of the learnniue.com website, an interactive tool which makes the Niuean Language accessible to anyone anywhere in the world, complementing books and audio CDs already in circulation.

The launch of the Mind Your Language Cook Island Maori resource is the first stage of the roll out and sees new Cook Island Maori learners equipped with reading resources and visual aids to start them on their language learning journey.

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive, Dr Colin Tukuitonga says Mind Your Language is designed to get more New Zealand born Pacific people speaking the language of their forebears. “Our communities in New Zealand outnumber those living in the Cook Islands and Niue, and sadly our young New Zealand born people can’t speak these languages. Mind Your Language aims to change that.”

Dr Tukuitonga is calling on communities to collectively support language learners. “Mind Your Language helps our communities to strengthen their sense of cultural identity. We hope every member of the Niue and Cook Islands communities supports the people who make use of this valuable resource.”

ENDS

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