Porirua celebrated a milestone in cultural recognition with its first-ever Vanuatu Bislama Language Week flag-raising ceremony, held outside the City Council on Monday morning.
The event marks the start of Bislama Language Week, which runs from 27 July to 2 August, and highlights the 2025 theme: Tokabaot Klaemet Jenj – hemi ril mo yumi mas lukaotem laef (Talk about Climate Change – it is real, and we must look after life).
Ngāti Toa Rangatira kaumatua Taku Parai opened the ceremony with a mihi, setting a tone of unity and respect. Leimaka Woodfield served as MC, guiding the programme with warmth and cultural insight. His Excellency Jimmy Nipo, Vanuatu High Commissioner to New Zealand, described Vanuatu as “a small country with a big voice,” and reflected on the nation’s 40 years of independence.
His wife, Madam Lidcha Nanuman, offered a heartfelt devotion, underscoring the spiritual and cultural connections of the day. Mayor Anita Baker spoke of Porirua’s pride in celebrating with the Ni-Vanuatu community and embracing the city’s rich Pacific identity.
“With more than 100 languages spoken in Vanuatu, this week is a true feast of languages,” said Baker. “Porirua is honoured to host this celebration and support the kaupapa of preserving and uplifting Bislama.”
Porirua is home to a diverse Pacific population, and events like this flag-raising deepen the city’s commitment to inclusion, language revitalisation, and cultural education. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has made resources and graphics available to help schools, organisations, and families take part in the celebrations throughout the week. For more, click below:
