Tokelauan
Preserving an endangered Polynesian language
Mālo ni! Ulu tonu mai ki tokelauan.com.
Hello! Welcome to tokelauan.com.
Tokelauan is the indigenous Polynesian language of Tokelau, a small island territory in the South Pacific. It is spoken by a limited number of people in Tokelau and within Tokelauan communities in New Zealand and Australia. This site aims to support documentation, visibility, and preservation of the Tokelauan language and its cultural context.
Why Tokelauan matters
Tokelauan is considered a severely endangered language. With only a few thousand speakers worldwide, it faces increasing pressure from dominant languages and limited intergenerational transmission.
Language preservation is not only about words and grammar — it is about identity, history, and cultural continuity. Documenting and sharing linguistic knowledge helps ensure that future generations can access and reconnect with their heritage.
Language & cultural context
Tokelauan belongs to the Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family and is closely related to Samoan and Tuvaluan. This site is intentionally simple and focuses on clarity, respect, and accessibility.
- A neutral introduction to the Tokelauan language
- Basic linguistic references and terminology
- Cultural and regional context
- Curated links to academic and institutional resources
This is not a commercial language course. No ads. No paywalls.
About this project
tokelauan.com is a small, independent cultural initiative. The goal is to provide a trustworthy starting point for researchers, educators, institutions, and anyone interested in Tokelauan language and culture.
Tokelauan (Gagana Tokelau) is an endangered Polynesian language spoken primarily in Tokelau, as well as in diaspora communities in New Zealand and Australia. As one of the most threatened Oceanic languages, Tokelauan carries unique cultural, historical and linguistic value.
This project provides a clear, accessible and non-commercial reference point for anyone researching the Tokelauan language, including its grammar, vocabulary, cultural context and relation to other Polynesian languages such as Samoan and Tuvaluan. Our goal is to help preserve Gagana Tokelau by offering reliable information and connecting interested individuals, researchers and institutions with relevant resources.
If you have references, publications, learning materials, or institutional links that should be listed here, please contact us.
How donations are used
This project is a small, independent, non-commercial initiative dedicated to supporting the visibility and preservation of the Tokelauan language and its cultural context.
Donations are used responsibly and transparently. They help cover essential project-related costs and enable future preservation-oriented activities.
- Website hosting, infrastructure, and technical maintenance
- Research, documentation, and curation of linguistic resources
- Outreach to academic, educational, and cultural institutions
- Long-term archiving and accessibility of language-related materials
No donations are used for personal enrichment. This project is run independently and with respect for the Tokelauan people, their language, and their cultural heritage.
Contact
For cooperation, resource sharing, or preservation initiatives related to Tokelauan, please contact: