Transcript
Niue-born Wellington-based doctor Alvin Mitukulena says his language is not spoken widely compared to other Pacific languages.
But, he says there has been an increasing number of young Niueans taking an interest in the language and culture.
"So, it's quite heartwarming to see that and I hope it just only gets stronger and stronger. It's being able to get together with my community and share stories about our home Island.
"It's a time of reflection, of coming together with the community with other Niuean people, and just sharing stories about our homeland, what we remember and what we can pass on to our young ones as well."
The chairperson of the Vagahau Niue, Mailigi Hetutu, says the organisers have been impressed with the response from the community.
"The highlight was we have the youth who totally take part in the services as well with singing and reading of the Bible even preaching.
"There was a young man who was so powerful in his messages to his young friends about maintaining the Niuean language - to keep on using it. His encouragement is for the New Zealand-born Niueans to try and live the Vagahau."
Ms Hetutu says they will continue to work with and encourage the youth to learn the Vagahau.
New Zealand's Pacific People's minister says more needs to be done to expand the use of Pacific languages beyond language weeks.
Aupito William Sio says while such weeks remain important, more investment and research is needed to help struggling languages.
"What we'll do with that is basically start from our starting point with the Pacific language weeks and continue to build on that as the community directs us, which requires us to make sure that the language weeks are better coordinated on a nationwide basis, but will also require us to look to the source of the language."
Aupito Sio, whose ministry runs the seven Pasifika language weeks, says $NZ20 million has been allocated for further research and language support.
Dr Alvin Mitukulena urges young Niueans to make use of every opportunity and ask their parents, grandparents and friends for assistance in learning the language.
"Because that was a dying language. I hate to say that but it is and we need to try and revive it. But we all have a responsibility as Niuean people. Part of part of learning the language is about making some mistakes, because that's the only way you're going to learn.
"But we we, as you know, people who are fluent, we have a responsibility to help our young people and encourage them and be be supportive of them when they want to learn our language."
Niuean Language Week ends on Saturday when the islanders mark Aho Pulefakamotu or Constitution Day - when Niue became a self-governing nation in 1974.
