North Otago-born Tongans are being encouraged to connect with their Tongan ancestry and learn more about their family roots.
Timaru-based organisation Fale Pasifika O Aoraki Trust Society has launched a scheme that teaches New Zealand-born Tongans in Oamaru about the customs, protocols and costumes of Tonga.
Manager Ofa Boyle said the local Tongan population had soared in recent years.
"They sort of don't know what's going on with our culture and our heritage and things like that, even our customs; they don't see it.''
Ms Boyle said that even within the Tongan language, there were different themes that people did not understand and should know so the language could stay prominent in the local population of Tongans.
"We have different languages for commoners because of our hierarchy. We have languages for the nobles and languages we use for the king.''
Having an understanding of a culture gave people confidence, she said.
"It gives them a sense of belonging and it gives them safety.''
The first demonstration of what students have learnt is to be held tomorrow at 6pm at Pembroke School, Oamaru.
"It's for the whole community to come and see and see what the youth have been learning.''
