Distinguished Niuean educator Mele Fakatali Nemaia has returned to Niue after a notable career spanning decades in New Zealand, where she dedicated herself to preserving and promoting the Niue language and culture. Embracing the idyllic setting of her homeland, Nemaia’s enthusiasm shone brightly as she reminisced about past celebrations of Niue Language Week.
Among her proudest achievements is the establishment of Hologa Niue, New Zealand’s inaugural Niue cultural festival, with the upcoming theme for 2025 being “Fakatapunu, Ofania, mo e Fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue!” (Elevate, Cherish, and use Vagahau Niue!). She firmly believes that the Niuean community is eager to uphold their cherished heritage, which serves as the foundation of their identity. This sentiment also inspired her latest book, further emphasizing her deep commitment to the language and culture.
A member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Nemaia has served as the chairperson for the Vagahau Niue Trust and is a fervent advocate for the Niue language. She expresses confidence in the current champions of Vagahau Niue and is now enjoying her retirement in Niue, engaging in activities such as selling bread at the local market and relishing the fresh produce from her garden, including pawpaw and Uga (coconut crab). “There is no place like home. Niue is blessed abundantly,” she declared.
However, the term “retired” quickly transformed into laughter as Nemaia mentioned that she’s temporarily supporting a local school for three weeks. She has also recently published her second book, which focuses on the experiences of Niuean school children.
Nemaia’s previous book, created for Niue Language Week 2024, featured a collection of stories told through the eyes of young Niueans. Her current work, “Moana Oceania: Niue,” is bilingual, expertly presented in both Vagahau Niue and English. This collaboration with Oratia Books allowed her to illustrate aspects of Niue’s society, geography, arts, history, and sports.
During her interview, Nemaia’s passion for youth shone through as she encouraged those born outside Niue and struggling with their identity and language to actively engage with their community and learn the language. Her message was clear: “You don’t have to seek permission to come to Niue. Just come!”
A significant technological advancement championed by Nemaia is the Fakaako e Vagahau Niue language app, launched three years ago, which focuses on teaching basic phrases and vocabulary to support language retention among the youth. She expressed hope that, three years later, the app continues to be a valuable resource, especially given UNESCO’s classification of Niuean as a critically endangered language. “Our young people are hungry, hungry for their language,” she affirmed, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation for future generations.
Mele Fakatali Nemaia embodies resilience and dedication to her community, illustrating that a return to origins can often lead to new adventures and continued contributions to the culture and language that shape identity. Her ongoing commitment to cultivating the Niuean language and her love for her community reflects a hopeful future for the preservation of Vagahau Niue and the rich culture of Niue.