Dahlina Taueu with her lalaga. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau-Tohitau
Discs of intricate patterns woven with colourful fibres adorn the words '683 BABY' as south Auckland-based visual artist Dahlina Taueu's dexterity for the art of lalaga, or warp and weft close weaving, strengthens her connection to her Niuean culture and language.
For this year's Faahi tapu e Vagahau Niue (Niuean Language Week), Taueu says lalaga is how the weaver from the villages of Hakupu and Tamakautoga ensures she maintains a connection to her heritage.
Taueu's journey of lalaga began at a younger age when her nana pushed to learn the tradition - but she was not a fan at first.
"I actually never enjoyed it growing up. I was too young to appreciate it at the time but my nana always said to learn, because who else is going to keep the culture going?
"Once I got older, especially during the Covid lockdowns, is when I began enjoying the craft. I was so bad at the start - It was so hard to do something that seemed so simple. Now I can do it blindly without looking, while watching my shows," Taueu said.
I Love Niue 683 mat. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau-Tohitau
The 26-year-old currently studies a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Utilising lalaga in her application she now experiments with material and ideas in an attempt to modernise the craft.
"Although it's therapeutic, it's not something I do all the time. I have to be in the right mindset, as well as cautious of the toll it takes on my wrists so I need to be careful."
Taueu said simple lilis (woven mats) can take up to three to four months at a time to complete, with the larger and more complex ones with words and patterns, taking even longer.
"I love having the skill of lalaga. I love the idea of knowing something so traditional about my Niuean culture and it's so impressive to the older aunties in the community because it's very uncommon for people our age to be weavers - so it's definitely a flex.''
"I've always been told that our Niuean language is dying, so I want do what I can to represent Niue and keep Niuean traditions alive with arts and crafts," Taueu said.
Lalaga Kato woven basket. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau-Tohitau
Vagahau Niue is registered with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as an endangered language, with less than 5 percent of New Zealand-born Niueans being able to speak the language.
"I wish I was taught the language when I was younger, but my parents were focused on working and providing quality education for us before teaching my siblings and I Vagahau Niue," Taueu said.
"Although, I understand when my aunties, uncles and nana speak about little things, like I know when they're gossiping.''
Faahi tapu e Vagahau Niue's theme for the year is Fakatūleva e Vagahau Niue mo e Tau Aga Fakamotu ma e Tau Atuhau or Sustaining Niue Language and Culture for Future Generations.
Taueu holds this theme close to her heart as an integral part of her craft.
''I want our Niuean generation now and in the future to really make an effort to connect with our culture. We have a fun culture; it's colorful, bold and exciting and I just wished I had started getting attuned to it when I was younger.
Lalaga up close. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau-Tohitau
