Connecting through culture: in celebration of two Pacific languages

How wonderful to celebrate two Pacific language weeks in August: Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki Airani – Cook Islands Language Week, and Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week.

Le Va celebrates Tongan Language Week 2024

Our Le Va team had an amazing time diving into these two beautiful Pacific cultures and connecting over traditional kai, songs and dances.

At the start of August our new mental health and addiction project coordinator, Melanie Goodwright – who hails from Aitutaki, put us through our paces by teaching the team ura – a traditional dance of the Cook Islands.

Melanie Goodwright leads the ura

This week our Tongan team members treated us to a Tongan feast and taught the whole team a powerful Tongan hymn and dance.

Honouring our heritage is one way we support wellbeing at Le Va, in the knowledge that having a strong cultural identity is a good protective factor that can help us through tough times.

We encourage everyone to join in and share in our celebrations, because connecting with people is another way to ensure we strengthen wellbeing.

You can explore our Top 5 Tactics for Pasifika wellbeing here.