Current: community and creative
Pacific Island languages can be heard on the radio but not seen in the
bookshops. Print culture in 'trade publishing' is virtually
non-existent—there are no commercial publishers even on the
islands themselves. For centuries, Pacific storytelling has been passed
on through images, chants, song and dance. One would therefore expect to
see the emergence of a truly indigenous written culture, but there are
few signs that this is developing. The needs, difficulties and
opportunities confronting the development of Pacific Island language
resources are discussed in Robert Holding's 'O tusi i le gagana Samoa'
(1991 Churchill Report). While Samoa is the primary focus, the research
provides a useful model contribution to discussions on literacy and
associated issues. The challenges are even bigger for the other language
groups, where the populations are so much smaller.
Newspapers (usually in
Samoan) have occasionally and briefly come and gone in the Auckland area
but are usually versions of Samoa-based publications. It is also
relevant to note that when mixed groups of Pacific Islanders communicate
(in word or print) they do so in English, due to the language
differences. English therefore continues to be a threat to Pacific
Island languages, especially in New Zealand. An example of a combined
Pacific Island newspaper is the monthly Wellington-based give-away Pacific Network Newspaper (1994-) in which
advertisements and about half the content is in English, with the
remaining content in various Pacific Island languages.
There is only one
identified creative writing competition in New Zealand for Pacific
Island languages, held annually by Manukau City Libraries, Auckland, and
there are no special awards or recognition to encourage writers and
publishers. Books Pasifika and Pasifika Press provide the only
commercial outlet, while the occasional entrepreneur faces all the
difficulties experienced by self publishers.