New Zealand has inspired more Samoan communities abroad to run their own events to celebrate the Samoan language this year.
The Human Rights Commission in New Zealand and the Association for the Teaching of Samoan in Aotearoa have partnered with other organisations like churches, schools and libararies to run nationwide events.
A Facebook page set up last year to raise awareness about the language has been successful, with thousands of members signing up.
The Race Relations Commissioner in New Zealand, Joris de Bres, says the latest to join up are communities in the United States, after Australian-based Samoans joined last year.
"Probably the biggest new development this year, has been the introduction of the United States Samoan community, into Samoan language week. And we've got a very lively USA Samoan Language Facebook page, and they've got like about 25 organisations involved, and things are happening in Hawaii, and throughout California and elsewhere."
Joris de Bres.
The 2011 theme for Samoan Language week, which runs until June the 7th, is Samoa Ola - Samoa Active.
