Tokelau Bible launch on Fakaofo 2025. Photo: Supplied/ Tokelau Government
Tokelau is celebrating the launch of the first-ever comeplete Bible translation in Gagana Tokelau.
"I'm happy to announce that the work [Tokelau Bible translation] is done, thank you for allowing us to do this," Reverend Tui Sopoaga said, as translated by Elena Pasilio in Tokelau.
Before this week, both the Samoan Bible and a Tokelau New Testament translation - launched in 2009 - was being used, with a full translation yet to have been finished.
"Depending on the text for the day, if it's from the Old Testament, we read the Samoan Bible. If it's it's from the New Testament, we read the Tokelau [translation]," Tokelau Education Minister Atafu Tiakono Toeaina and senior deacon in the Church of Atafu, Atafu Faipule and former Ulu-o-Tokelau, Kelihiano Kalolo, told RNZ Pacific.
Atafu Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo, Ulu o Tokelau Fakaofo's Esera Fofō Tuisano and Nukunonu Faipule Alapati Tavite at Tokelau Bible launch celebrations. Photo: Supplied/ Tokelau Government
This week is also Tokelau language week in Aotearoa and there is a packed agenda of celebrations. Tokelau is a non-self-governing realm of New Zealand.
Language Week is not necessarily celebrated on the atolls as much as New Zealand because everyone speaks the language, Kalolo said,
However, Bible translation celebrations are in full swing.
"It is a very big event, and those people who were involved in this undertaking should be congratulated because I know this is not an easy job. This is a very, very difficult one, but they persevered," Kalolo said.
In the 1980s, it was agreed a bible in gagana Tokelau should be put together. In 1994, it was decided work on a Tokelau translation should begin.
In the early days, Rev Tui Sopoaga said he and a group of others travelled to the three atolls in order to get permission for this work to start in New Zealand.
"By God's love they agreed to it," he said at the General Fono (parliament) launch for the new Bible as translated by Pasilio in Tokelau.
Many community members in New Zealand backed the project.
Porirua's John Misky, a Tokelauan voyager even promised his late grandmother he had set sail to Auckland in order to raise funds.
A voyage he had yet to complete.
"If our language is like a canoe, then we need to sail it. We need to speak it. Not just Tokelauan but Maori, Samoan, Fijian. It's our cultural language that makes us who we are as a people," Misky said in 2017.
Voyager John Misky sails Tokelau flag. Photo: Supplied/ Isaac Misky
It was a labour of love that took almost 26 years to complete, Bible Society of New Zealand CEO Neels Janse van Rensburg, said in a post to social media.
A living translation
Kalolo said a review will be needed of the freshly launched full Bible translation.
Kalolo, who knows very well just how hard it is to find the right words when translating, said he is proud of those who made it happen.
"At [the] same time, I think it would be advisable for them to set up the day for a review and in the future, because languages change and also there are possibilities we have made slight mistakes in the interpretation, and for us to respect the original text and their meanings," he said.
He said the Tokelau Bible lunch is a reminder to preserve and learn more Tokelauan.
"It will be good for the development of spiritual life of people that will lead to harmonious living in the villages."
