Unitec kaimahi a champion of Tuvalu language in our communities

Meet Unitec kaimahi, Molia Alama-Tulafono – a champion of Tuvalu language and culture not just at Unitec, but in our communities across Aotearoa.

She is an award-winning Pacific artist and dancer who was a recipient of Pacific Dance New Zealand’s Artist in Residency in 2020.

As we celebrate Tuvalu Language Week – Vaiaso o te gana Tuvalu this week from September 27th – October 3rd, 2025, Molia explains why she is passionate about sharing her culture to the wider Unitec whānau.

KAIMAHI PROFILE – Molia Alama-Tulafono 

“Talofa koutou. Greetings to you all.

Toku igoa ko Molia Alama-Tulafono. My name is Molia Alama-Tulafono.

I am a Senior Administrator in Enrolment Processing. I have been working at Unitec for six years.

During this time, I have had the privilege of contributing to Pacific initiatives and sharing my Tuvaluan culture within the Unitec community.

These opportunities allow me to celebrate and showcase our traditions, language, and stories, helping to raise awareness and understanding of Tuvaluan culture.

In addition, I contribute by guest speaking in the Teaching and Early Childhood Education programme during their Talanoa sessions and lectures, where I share insights from my own experiences and cultural knowledge.

I trace my Tuvaluan heritage to several islands that hold deep significance for me. Nukulaelae, where I was raised by my grandparents, is the foundation of my upbringing and values.

Funafuti, where I was born, also connects me to my paternal great-grandmother. Beyond these, my ancestral links extend to Niutao, Vaitupu, and Nukufetau.

I was born in the island of Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu. I grew up in Tuvalu and later migrated to New Zealand at the age of sixteen.

Gana Tuvalu is my first language, the one I grew up speaking. It is important to me because language is at the heart of our identity, it grounds us in who we are and connects us to who we are.

I am proud to be Tuvaluan because I was born and raised there, surrounded by our culture, language, people, and unique way of life. These foundations shape who I am and give me a deep sense of pride and belonging.

Tuvalu is unique for its rich language with eight dialects, each island carrying its own distinct way of speaking, for example, the northern islands are known for their use of the “h” sound.

Our culture is expressed and sustained through the fatele, where traditional knowledge, stories, and values are passed down through generations. Above all, it is our people who are the greatest asset of our nation, carrying and embodying the spirit of Tuvalu wherever we are.

My passion for Tuvalu dance and performance began in our beautiful island Nukulaelae from an early age. At home, I watched my aunties create fou (head garlands) and teuga (dance costumes), which planted the first seeds of inspiration in me. Growing up in a community where fatele is embraced, celebrated, and central to our gatherings further nurtured and elevated my love for Tuvalu dance, shaping it into a lifelong passion.

Watch Tagata Pasifika’s Pacific Dance story on Molia here

The climate crisis is a stark and urgent reality for Tuvalu, threatening not only our land but our culture, language, and way of life.

I would like to see strong efforts to preserve and sustain our cultural heritage, through initiatives such as supporting language education, documenting stories and traditions, and strengthening community resilience. It is vital that our identity as Tuvaluans endures, and that our culture continues to thrive even in the face of environmental challenges.

I feel truly blessed and privileged to share my Tuvalu culture at Unitec.

Bringing my language and culture into these learning spaces enriches students’ understanding of Pacific perspectives and helps keep our traditions alive within the academic environment.”