Auckland Libraries blog

The world of Pacific literature is diverse, full of surprises and powerful! Our latest Pacific titles cover an ocean of subjects including feminism, beautiful Pacific poetry, and myths and legends. Explore these curated lists of adult and kids books put together by Senior Pacific Content Specialist Veronica, and celebrate Pacific literature by checking them out at your local library or via our catalogue. New Pacific adult books Vā: Stories by Women of the Moana  edited by Sisilia Eteuati & Lani Young An anthology of female-driven narratives from 38 writers drawn from across the Pacific. The stories touch on themes such as family, history, culture and feminism. Tackle Your Success: 7 Truths of a Professional Athlete: A Step-by-step Guide to a New Life After Sports by Filipo Levi From playing for the Highlanders to captaining Manu Samoa against the All Blacks, Filipo Levi has faced more than his fair share of challenges throughout his illustrious career. In this in...

Today Amelia, Community Library Manager at Māngere East Library, joins us to share how she celebrates Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week.  Talanoa with Amelia, Community Library Manager at Māngere East Library Tâlofa nî! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your relationship with Gagana Tokelau (the Tokelau language). Mua mua e hiki te fakafetai ki to tatou Atua mo tona alofa ki a ki tatou te mamalu o Tokelau. Firstly, I give thanks, praise and glory to God for his endless love he gives to his people of Tokelau. E fakatulou atu ki te mamalu o te kaiga Tokelau i Niu Hila ma Tokelau vena foki ki o tatou tino i na koga kekehe i te lalolagi. This is an acknowledgement to all Tokelau people in New Zealand, Tokelau and throughout the world. Taloha ni. Ko toku igoa ko Amelia, ko au te pule o te faletuhi o Māngere East. Hi everyone, my name is Amelia and I am the Community Library Manager based at Māngere East Library.  I am a country girl, born and raised in t...

Photograph by Eni Esekia. Tâlofa nî! Celebrate Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau  2020  – Tokelau Language Week 2020 with Auckland Libraries from 25  -  31 Oketopa (October) 2020. The 2020 Tokelau Language Week theme is ‘Apoapo tau foe, i nā tāfea i te galutau. Ke mau mai, ke mau mai’ which in English translates to, 'Never give up hope, even amidst chaos and much uncertainty. Stay united, stay strong'. Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau (Tokelau Language Week) celebrates the culture and language of Faka-Tokelau (The Tokelauan way of life). This week gives us an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful and unique culture, language and people of Tokelau. Join Auckland Libraries and our Tokelau community in growing our knowledge about the culture, history and language of Tokelau. Did you know? Tokelau consists of three small coral atolls: Atafu, the most northern atoll has a surface area of 3.5km square; Nukunonu, the central atoll, is 4.7km square; and Fakaofo, the southern atoll, is 4...

Today Sepa Puleoti, Senior Library Assistant Pasifika at Auckland Libraries, joins us to share how she celebrates Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week.  Talanoa with Sepa Puleoti, Senior Library Assistant Pasifika Fakaalofa atu! Please tell us a bit about your role at Auckland Libraries? Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti. My name is Sepa Puleoti and I am the Senior Library Assistant Pasifika in the Waitematā local board, based at Grey Lynn Library. I am bilingual (fluent in English and the Niuean language) and have an excellent understanding of the Pasifika community, which allows me to really establish a strong rapport with many Niuean and Pacific Islander customers. During Pasifika and Pacific Language Weeks, I have had the opportunity of organising events, (with the help of my colleagues) inviting our local schools to perform, and I help out with Storytime. How do you celebrate Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue?   Home is where the heart is when it comes to ce...

Fakaalofa lahi atu! Celebrate Faahi tapu he Vagahau Niue 2020 – Niuean Language Week 2020 with Auckland Libraries from  18 - 24 Oketopa (October) 2020. The 2020 Niuean Language Week theme is ‘Faliki e tau momoui he tau atuhau ke he Vagahau Niue’ which in English translates to, ' Lay the foundations - give rise to Vagahau Niue for generations'.   Faahi tapu he Vagahau Niue is an opportunity for Niuean speakers living in Auckland to celebrate and share the beautiful culture and language of Niue.  Tāmaki Makaurau is home to the largest Pacific population in Aotearoa New Zealand - and the world. There are over 23,000 Niuean people living in Auckland alone.  Join Auckland Libraries and our Niuean community in growing our knowledge about the culture, history and language of Niue. “Ko au, ko koe, ko e tautolu, ko Niue!”  “I am, you are, we are, Niue!”  Events Discover and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Niue through stories, music and dance at Auckland Li...

Today Daren Kamali, Pacific Heritage Advisor at Auckland Libraries, joins us to share how he celebrates Macawa Ni Vosa Vaka Viti - Fiji Language Week.  Daren is one of our  Pasifika specialists . Auckland Libraries has Pasifika specialists with diverse interests based in libraries throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. Click here to find out more about how we can support you and your community. Talanoa with Daren Kamali, Pacific Heritage Advisor Bula! Please tell us a bit about your role at Auckland Libraries? I'm Daren Kamali – Heritage Pacific Advisor at Auckland Libraries Special Collections.  How do you celebrate Macawa Ni Vosa Vaka Viti?   I celebrate Macaw Ni Vosa Vaka Viti by Talanoa Vaka Viti, speaking Fijian with elders of the family and close friends, I also get the children to read Fijian books during this time. Always a special thing to have some Yaqona, Talanoa and Fijian food, like curry and roti, miti, wheke and lovu.  How do you connect with ...

Ratu Meli in his iTaukei stance serving Yaqona to Auckland Library Staff. (Photograph by Dan Liu, Auckland Libraries) Ni sa Bula Vinaka! Celebrate Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fiji Language Week with Auckland Libraries from 4 - 10 Okotova (October) 2020. This year's theme is Noqu Vosa, Noqu isema bula – My language, my living link. The aim of the week is to encourage Fijians living in Auckland to retain or learn their unique language, as well as an opportunity for all Aucklanders to experience the rich and vibrant culture of Fiji. This year marks the 50th Independence of Fiji and we'll be celebrating with a selection of events at our libraries. Akanisi Mocesava from the village of Korotulu on Moce Island in the Lau Group who has practised her art form for 30+ years. Image by Dan Liu, Auckland Libraries. Fijian titles and resources Auckland Libraries has an extensive collection of Pacific resources and materials. Check out some of our Fijian collection in this curated list. Celebr...

Fale Tusi i Aukilani e fakamanatu te Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu / Auckland Libraries celebrates Tuvalu Language Week Talofa! Join us in celebrating Tuvalu Language Week from 27 Setema (September) to 3 Oketopa (October). This year's theme is  Fakatili Te Kiloga Fou -  Navigating the changing environment. Did you know? Tuvalu means 'eight islands together'. Tuvalu was once known as the Ellice Islands, and in 1978, Tuvalu declared independence from Great Britain. The capital is Funafuti Atoll; most government offices are located in the village of Vaiaku, Fongafale islet, a constituent part of Funafuti Atoll. The group includes both atolls and reef islands. The atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have islets encircling a shallow lagoon; the reef islands - Nanumanga, Niutao, Vaitupu, and Niulakita - are compact with a fringing reef. Tuvaluans are Polynesian, and their language, Tuvaluan, is closely related to Samoan. Nui, however, was heavily settled in pr...

Today the lovely Meli Kaveinga joins us from the Rānui community to share how she celebrates Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu -Tuvalu Language Week.  Meli is a member of the Tuvalu community who lives in Rānui and frequently visits our libraries. Talanoa with  Meli Fakatalofa atu! Tell us a little about yourself, Meli! Talofa, my name is Meli Kaveinga.  I was born in Funafuti the capital of Tuvalu. I was raised by my grandparents Melita and Semese Alefaio. We moved here to New Zealand when I was very young and have been here ever since.  I've been teaching for more than ten years at different schools and I'm currently at Birdwood School in Rānui as the Learning Support Coordinator.  What does Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu -Tuvalu Language Week mean to you? Tuvalu Language Week means a lot to me because this is a special time of the year where I can showcase my culture and language.  It’s also a great opportunity for me to teach others about my language and cultu...

Today the lovely Angelina Taungahihifo joins us from New Lynn War Memorial Library to share how she celebrates 'Uike Katonga'i 'oe Lea Faka-Tonga - Tongan Language Week.  Angelina is one of our  Pasifika specialists . Auckland Libraries has Pasifika specialists with diverse interests based in libraries throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. Click here to find out more about how we can support you and your community. Talanoa with  Angelina Taungahihifo Mālō e lelei! Tell us a little about yourself, Angelina! Mālō e lelei, my name is Angelina Taungahihifo. I work as the Senior Library Assistant for Pasifika based at New Lynn War Memorial Library. My role focuses on engaging with customers from the local Pacific community, helping to increase participation and use of the library, and designing innovative programs that meet the community's needs. I am 30 years of age, currently live in West Auckland with my parents and currently working towards completing my Bachelor of Arts Degree...

Si’oto ‘Ofa! Mālō e lelei! Auckland Libraries are celebrating 'Uike Katoanga’i ‘O e Lea Faka-Tonga: Tongan Language Week from 6 September – 12 September 2020. This week is an amazing opportunity for Tongans of all ages living across Aotearoa to celebrate, embrace and share the beauty and uniqueness of their Tongan culture, history, customs, values and language with the rest of New Zealand. Auckland is home to thousands of Tongans and Auckland Libraries are excited to work together with our Tongan communities to celebrate and promote the beautiful culture of the friendly islands of Tonga. Mālō ‘Aupito! Nga Iwi Primary School - Tongan Group 'Oua lau e kafo, kae lau e lava! (Stay positive and count your blessings) - Tongan Proverb - Talanoa with us Keep up with Pasifika content on Facebook Follow the Auckland Libraries Talanoa Facebook Page for the freshest Pasifika content from our talented Pasifika librarians! They share memories, photographs, Pasifika voices and ama...

“Kia pūavai to tātou Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani I Aotearoa” May our Cook Islands Māori language blossom in Aotearoa. “Te ma’ata I ta’au ka oranga, ko te ma’ata rai ia ta’au ka rauka” The more you give, the more you receive; if you give a lot, you will receive a lot. Turou! Oro Mai! ‘Akaepaepa'anga te ‘Are Puka o Ākarana i te Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani Tapati 2 o ‘Āukute – Ma’anakai 8 o ‘Āukute 2020 |Sunday 2 August – Saturday 9 August 2020 Te Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani is a time of the year for Cook Islanders living throughout Aotearoa to acknowledge, celebrate and embrace the culture, history and most importantly, the reo (language) of the Cook Islands. Our city, Tāmaki Makaurau, has the largest Pacific population in the world, with just over 35,000 people proudly identifying as being Cook Islanders. It is for this reason that Auckland Libraries is delighted to connect with our Cook Islands community and celebrate the pearl of the Pacific. Kiaorana e Kia Manuia! ...