Samoa's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan, says speaking the native language is the key to helping younger generations appreciate the history and culture of Samoa.
Leasi Papali'i attended an event this week hosted by New Zealand's Minister of Pacific Island affairs to mark the 50th anniversary of Samoa's independence, and Samoan language week.
He believes younger generations of Samoans don't fully understand the journey it took to achieve independence, especially those who've grown up in New Zealand, but says the language can change that.
"This is helping a lot, and the Samoan language being taught at university level and also down from pre-school level here in New Zealand I think that will help the younger generation understand the history of Samoa and the struggles that our forefathers went through to make us become independent."
Samoa's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan.
