New Zealander’s of Tongan descent will celebrate their heritage this week in the annual “Tongan Language Week” (Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga).

Tongan Language Week commenced on Sunday 2 September with church services organized by Tongan communities across New Zealand.

Students of Tongan descent will perform dances and participate in umu gatherings, speech competitions, singing and art displays. New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Institutions will also host workshops during the week. A highly anticipated Ta’olunga competition (Miss Ta’olunga Faka-Tonga Competition) will take place on September 8 in Auckland.

Over 60,000 New Zealanders identified themselves as Tongans in New Zealand’s most recent census.