Hosted by the Centre for Pacific Languages, KOLOA is open to 300 delegates to come to hear, share and dream about the future of Pacific languages in Aotearoa. Koloa boasts a great lineup of keynote speakers who are pioneers and advocates of language revitalisation and pillars of Pacific Island communities.

Keynote speakers for 2023 include Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop and Dr Salainaoloa Wilson-uili, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Maori Language Commission) CEO Ngahiwi Apanui and Sefita Hauoli among other high calibre presenters. The fono will bring language champions, innovators and speakers together to encourage and shape the future of Pacific Language revitalisation, and honour tangata whenua for their leadership with Te Reo Māori revitalisation in Aotearoa.

The Centre for Pacific Languages interim CEO Ron Viviani says the event will showcase the environments where Pacific! anguages can thrive in interesting and unexpected ways. He says it builds on the launch of the first Pacific Languages Strategy 2022-2032. “This provides the framework to effectively coordinate the efforts and actions of Pacific communities and government so that, together, we can create the right conditions for communities to drive solutions that protect and maintain our heritage and indigenous languages,”he says.

While there’s the chance to hear, there is also the chance to share. There will be space to talanoa and share their thoughts on recognising the value of language and strengthening pathways and opportunities for indigenous language speakers. The Koloa Pacific Languages Fono invites all Pacific people with an interest and expertise in Pacific Languages, across communities, government, and key stakeholders. “Success will be determined by how well we work together, to realise the vision that thriving Pacific languages build a prosperous Aotearoa,” Ron says.

This year’s fono coincides with the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages, making it even more special as Aotearoa joins the worldwide movement to revitalise indigenous languages.