26th May – 1st June 2013 High Commissioner Leasi Papalii T Scanlan this year opened Samoan Language Week at Victoria University. The third most spoken language in New Zealand, the Samoan language has been celebrated each year with its very own language week since 2007. The theme for 2013 was ‘Fafaga fanau i upu ma tala;Tautala i lau gagana’ – ‘Feed your children with words and stories; Speak your language’. It emphasises the importance of New Zealand-based Samoan families speaking Samoan in the home to nurture their heritage well into the future. The High Commissioner also attended an opening ceremony later in the week at Aotea High School, Wellington.