Celebrating Rotuman Language Week 2026 - with maluseu monise

In celebration of Rotuman Language Week 2026, we are honoured to feature APSTE member Maluseu Monise. In this spotlight, Maluseu reflects on their journey, what being Rotuman means to them, and the significance of language, culture, and connection for Rotuman communities in Aotearoa and beyond.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role

"Noa’ia gagaj atakoa,

My name is Maluseu Monise. I am from the village of Asau in Vaitupu, Tuvalu, and Suakama in Juju, Rotuma. I have lived in Aotearoa for the past 26 years and have worked in the tertiary education sector for over 10 years.

My journey in this space began in a casual data entry role, and over time I have worked across recruitment and as an academic staff member. I am now the Kaiarahi Pacific, where I lead He Kura Whakaumu, our equity project."

What does being Rotuman mean to you?

"Being Rotuman is a great privilege for me. It means carrying the stories of my land and my people with me wherever I go, and having the opportunity to share those stories beyond our shores. At the same time, it allows me to create new stories through my experiences overseas stories that I can one day take back home to our motherland.

This is what gives me energy and purpose in both my work and my life. There is always something new to learn and appreciate new gifts, lessons, blessings, people, and places to see, smell, feel, and experience.

Being Rotuman in Aotearoa also means stepping into the role of a teacher and kaitiaki of our culture, language, and ways of being, while remaining open and humble enough to learn from the cultures, languages, and ways of others. It is a balance I value deeply, and one that continues to shape who I am."

Why is Rotuman Language Week important to you?

"The Rotuman language is unique, particularly in the way it is learned and sustained. For many of us in the diaspora, learning Rotuman away from the island can be challenging. We are often not immersed in the language within our households, especially as many Rotuman families overseas do not live in intergenerational homes. As a result, we miss out on the layered, everyday teaching and learning that naturally occurs within family life on Rotuma.

This is why Rotuman Language Week is so important to me. For one week, I am fully immersed not only in my household, but also in my workplace, across my communities, and online. During this time, it feels as though Rotuma sits at the centre of my life, not just in my heart and mind. The language, stories, and ways of being become visible, audible, and alive in my everyday spaces.

I believe this visibility is especially important for our younger generations. On the island, you do not question your Rotuman identity. It is affirmed by the land, the people, the village, and extended family. Your Rotuman-ness is normalised; it simply is who you are.

In Aotearoa, we are blessed to live within a rich and diverse “melting boil-up” of cultures, ethnicities, and languages. While this is a strength, it also means that many of us have had to consciously navigate how to remain Rotuman in foreign lands, while relating to other cultures and staying connected to family back home. Rotuman Language Week creates a space where that navigation is affirmed, celebrated, and strengthened."

Is there a Rotuman word, phrase, or value that is special to you?

"“Garue ma a‘u‘ua”

I loved hearing this phrase and saying this to my family in Rotuma. It can be said in a casual joking manner to someone who hardly works or it could be offered with genuine authentic care to some who you see working too hard and it’s a reminder to pause, rest and relax. Or to work hard and rest harder."

What is something you would love others to know about Rotuma or Rotuman culture?

"A Rotuman phrase that is very special to me is “Garue ma a‘u‘ua.” I grew up hearing this phrase and still love hearing/saying it with my family in Rotuma.

What I value about this phrase is its flexibility and depth. It can be shared in a light‑hearted, joking way with someone who might not be pulling their weight, but it can also be offered with genuine care to someone you see working too hard. In that sense, it becomes a gentle reminder to pause, to rest, and to look after oneself.

For me, Garue ma a‘u‘ua captures an important Rotuman value—balance. It reminds us to work hard, but also to rest well, and to care for one another through humour, honesty, and love."

How do you stay connected to your culture and language?

"I am very fortunate to have my mother with me, which allows me to share and speak our language on a daily basis. That constant presence is a blessing and an important way I stay grounded in my Rotuman identity.

I also value technology for helping us stay connected across distance. Through regular phone calls and family group chats, I am able to hear, read, and engage with the Rotuman language weekly. Listening to our music and watching our tautoga also gives me the boost I need whenever I am missing home. It reconnects me instantly to our land, our people, and our spirit.

Staying connected locally is just as important. I enjoy spending time with the Kirikiriroa Rotuman community and sharing everyday moments. Often through humour, memes, and messages with my cousins (you know who you are). These small but meaningful connections help keep our culture and language alive in my daily life. There is always more to do for our Language our people and our culture. And I like that about the journey of our language so far."