The Peleti's values have been heavily shaped by their upbringing in Samoa as well as their faith, both coming from Christian families.

"We first met in the village of Vaoala where Osana’s parents were EFKS church ministers back in 1998. We married in 2003 on our homeland of Samoa and then moved and settled in New Zealand in April, 2005," says Fala.

Reflecting on their life in Samoa and now living in New Zealand, they realise more than ever the importance of holding strong to their cultural values and knowledge, including the language.

"It’s always important to know your identity. We are all special and unique and it’s the same with our language. Being in New Zealand, a diverse country, we want to carry that pride of being a Samoan. This applies to all our Pasifika community celebrating their language weeks too," Osana shares.

She says family is a key value that acts as a pillar in their life, keeping them grounded.

"There is a saying that if you marry a Samoan, you marry the whole family, and that is very true; yours will be theirs too. Family is important in our culture, and being married to Fala fulfils those values for me.

"We’re proud of what we have achieved together; some of our proudest achievements would be owning a house in 2006 and having our son in 2016."

Their reflections during Samoan Language Week serve as a reminder of the importance of cultural identity and the celebration of heritage within the diverse communities of New Zealand.