Story: Tongans

Language programmes

Language programmes

As the number of New Zealand-born Tongans increases, many Tongans fear that their language and therefore their identity will disappear. In response, programmes have been set up to encourage the use of Tongan in schools. Here, Tongan teacher aide ‘Ikilifi Pope helps eight-year-old Netanili ‘Iongi with his work at Ōtara’s Sir Edmund Hillary Junior School.

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New Zealand Herald
Reference: 29 October 2002
Photograph by Brett Phibbs

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Melenaite Taumoefolau, 'Tongans - Culture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1263/language-programmes (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Melenaite Taumoefolau, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 25 Mar 2015