Two Auckland universities have come together to celebrate Tongan Language Week.
Photo: RNZ Pacific: Sela Jane Hopgood
The University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology are known to have an unspoken rivalry as neighbouring institutions.
The vice president of the Tongan Student Association of the University of Auckland (TAUA) Eleni Lokotui said it was not a dramatic, serious rivalry, but there was always a competitiveness between the two.
Ms Lokotui said the rivalry was more prominent during the annual gathering 'Amatakiloa' which all New Zealand Tongan groups attend.
"Leading into Amatakiloa, there's always that competition and banter between TAUA, AUT, Otago and all of the other associations, but it's also good to come together, to network and tauhi-vā (to nurture relationships) with each other because we all share that cultural identity with each other and we're also tertiary students, so I thought it'll be a good way to come together."
TAUA and AUT's Tongan Association will perform on Friday at the University of Auckland.
