Celebrating Samoan Language Week at Bonson

At Bonson, we believe that language is more than just communication — it’s connection, culture, and community. That’s why we’re proud to support Samoan Language Week 2025, running from 1–7 June, as part of our commitment to celebrating the diverse cultures that make our team strong.

Language Builds Belonging

This year, we’ve introduced posters across our site featuring basic Samoan greetings and phrases — from Talofa (Hello) to Fa’afetai (Thank you) — to encourage everyday language use and spark meaningful moments of connection between team members. Whether you’re fluent or just starting with a friendly Talofa or polite Talofa lava, it’s about showing respect, learning together, and having fun along the way.

Flying the Flag, Together

You’ll also find the Samoan flag proudly displayed in our lunchroom, a simple but meaningful gesture to honour the heritage of our Samoan colleagues and their contribution to Bonson. It’s a symbol of unity, pride, and the value we place on inclusivity in our workplace.

Here’s a few key words to practice;

Talofa = Hello (or a polite Talofa lava) Fa’afetai = Thank you Tofa = Goodbye Aiga = Family Tama = Father Tina = Mother

Uo = Friend Mea’ai = Food (filifili mea’ai = good food) Ata = Laugh Siva = Dance Pese = Music

Why It Matters

For many of our team, language is a link to identity, family (aiga), and home. By recognising and supporting Samoan Language Week, we’re not just celebrating words — we’re celebrating people. We’re creating space for stories, laughter, learning, and deeper cultural understanding.

To our Samoan colleagues: Fa’afetai lava — thank you. Your presence and pride enrich our workplace every day.
To all our team: we invite you to join in, give it a go, and help make Bonson a place where everyone feels seen and valued.

Let’s celebrate, learn, and uplift together. We’d particularly like to thank those who brought food and shared their culture and love with the team.