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New Zealand's Pacific language weeks are underway and begins with Rotuman - the language of a Fijian dependency about 650 kilometres northwest of the Fijian capital Suva.
While there are only 2,000 residents on the island, there are thousands more on Fiji's main islands as well as tens of thousands of native speakers scattered around the world.
RNZ Pacific's Christine Rovoi, a Rotuman herself, reports why this year's celebrations launched in Wellington last night at Te Papa are extra special.