Attempt to save Niue culture (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Attempt to save Niue culture

Meeting in Niue to try to preserve the language and culture of the
island, where only 1500 people still live

30 October 2004
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=44506&c=w

A two-day meeting in Niue will call on the strategy used in New Zealand
to boost the use of Te Reo Maori.

The gathering of leaders, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, aims to
revitalise Niue's language and culture.

Miss Clark says New Zealand is in a position to offer experience
garnered through the Maori language renaissance.

She says Niueans understand the community must come together to revive
the language.

Miss Clark says New Zealand's Education Ministry is working on a Niuean
language curriculum.

Statistics show just 12 percent of the 20,000 Niueans in New Zealand can
speak their native tongue.

New Zealand-based Niueans have gathered on the tiny Pacific island to
help save the language and culture.

Only 1,500 now live on the island.

New Zealand's Niue High Commissioner Hima Takalesi says the two-day
meeting mends a rift between islanders and New Zealand-based Niueans.

He says in the past there has been contention between the two groups.

Those who have left the island feel they have been isolated from the
decision-making process, while those left behind feel abandoned.

Mr Takalesi says Niueans have recognised the communities must come
together to save the language.


© 2004 NZCity, IRN