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Mahu Vision Trust received a grant from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to promote Kiribati language.
Warkworth’s Kiribati children have helped to produce learning materials that will ensure the survival of their native language.
Last month, the Government declared the week beginning July 12 was Kiribati Language Week, acknowledging the need to protect Kiribati language and culture.
Associate Minister for Pacific Peoples Carmel Sepuloni officiated the launch event at Massey University, which was attended by Kiribati communities from Warkworth, Hamilton and Blenheim.
A series of pictures and stories drawn and written by Kiribati students of Warkworth School was on display. The children wrote stories about their experiences during lockdown and were helped to translate them into Kiribati.
The project was organised by Rae Bainteiti, who volunteers for Mahu Vision Trust and chairs the Kiribati Aotearoa Diaspora Directorate.
The Mahu Vision Trust also supported volunteer Moevasa Taboru to publish a bilingual illustrated story book about Covid-19, called Nei Raoi Stays Home.
Warkworth is believed to have the largest Kiribati population in New Zealand with 600 people.
Kiribati itself has a population of around 100,000 and is vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change.
Rae says the newly established Kiribati Language Week is important to ensure that migrants in New Zealand are able to keep their heritage and culture alive.
Simple Kiribati greetings promoted for the week include mauri (hello), ko rabwa (thank you) and ti a bo (goodbye).
