PNG Hamilton based host inaugural Tok Pisin Language week

The newly formed Papua New Guinea (PNG) Waikato Society celebrated an important milestone recently with the launch of its inaugural celebration of Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Language week.

Tok Pisin (talk pidgin) is the official language of Papua New Guinea, a country that is recognised as being the most linguistically diverse in the world with roughly 840 living languages.

The launch took place on Sunday, September 8 at the University of Waikato with the theme of ‘Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples pasin blo tubuna’ – ‘Preserve revitalise and promote our language and culture’

Speaking on the theme, President Dolores Korere highlighted the importance of protecting language, particularly for Papua New Guineans living abroad.

“Our Language is our Identity, so It is our mandate to preserve and uphold (it)” Korere said.

She added that maintaining language can be very challenging “especially when living abroad as our children speak foreign languages and sometime forget our own.”

Korere said the language week provides an avenue for the community to come together and teach younger generations and strengthen their connections and heritage.

The week long event covered language quizzes and other cultural activities at the Waikato University Hub, and was supported by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.

Korere said the association formally registered in 2025 and the event marks its first Tok Pisin Language week in Hamilton. The PNG Hamilton based community has a population of fewer than 50 families.

Papua New Guinea was named the most linguistic diverse country in the world in 2021, with 12% of languages worldwide spoken.