Vaitoa Mallon (far right) explains how he stays connected to his Kiribati roots. Pictured alongside his brother Manoa Teaiwa and father Sean Mallon (centre). Photo: University of Auckland
Kiribati language week 2023 draws to an end in New Zealand and according to the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, 50 percent of i-Kiribati people in the country speak the Tungaru language.
There's a need to increase these numbers, especially with the younger generation.
Among them is i-Kiribati artist and University of Auckland student Vaitoa Mallon, who also proudly identifies as Banaban, African-American, Samoan and Irish.
Vaitoa is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Pacific Studies and Sociology.
He spoke with Pacific Waves host Susana Suisuiki.
