Pacific languages

Pacific Languages Framework

We have been developing the Pacific Languages Framework (PLF), and are working towards submitting a final Framework to Cabinet this year.

Consultation on the PLF occured in August 2011, at fonos throughout the country. The summary report on the 2011 August to October consultation fono is now available. Click here to read the report.

Learn Pacific languages

In support of the use of Pacific languages in the home and community,  we have developed a series of language resources in partnership with Niuean, Tokelauan and Cook Islands communities:


Tokelau language
Learn Tokelau language website


Cook Island Maori languageLearn Cook Island Maori language website


Niue languageLearn Niue language website

Learn Pacific greetings

Welcome/hello:

Talofa lava [Samoan], Kia orana [Cook Islands], Malo e lelei [Tongan], Fakaalofa lahi atu [Niuean], Bula vinaka [Fijian], Namaste [Fijian Indian], Talofa ni [Tokelauan], Halo ola keta [PNG], Mauri [Kiribati].

The following pages provide generally-used greetings and salutations for both oral and written use, for seven Pacific languages:

Please note:
1. These include generally accepted terms.
2. Some of the terms used in formal/informal and oral/written contexts are the same.