# Pacific Island cultural heritage celebrations in New Zealand > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pacific-island-cultural-heritage-celebrations-in-new-zealand > Updated: 2026-08-31T22:52:15.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Pacific Island heritage and culture are being highlighted through educational and museum-based initiatives in New Zealand. In mid-August, students participated in cultural celebrations, including Cook Islands Language Week at Avondale College and Bislama Language Week at the University of Waikato and WINTEC. These events focused on language, traditional crafts, and raising awareness regarding the impacts of climate change on Pacific communities. By late August, the New Zealand Maritime Museum launched ‘Our Ocean of Islands’, an Indigenous-led exhibition. Developed in collaboration with the Lagi-Maama Academy and Consultancy, the exhibition features 24 Moana Oceania island nations. It showcases historical artifacts, such as 3,000-year-old pottery from Vanuatu and dolphin teeth currency from the Solomon Islands, to illustrate the connections between Pacific nations and diaspora communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: New Zealand Maritime Museum hosts Indigenous-led Pacific exhibition The New Zealand Maritime Museum has opened ‘Our Ocean of Islands’, an Indigenous-led exhibition featuring artifacts and cultural stories from 24 Moana Oceania island nations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-maritime-museum-hosts-indigenous-led-pacific-exhibition ### 2026-08-16: Pacific Island students celebrate language and culture in New Zealand Pacific Island students in New Zealand celebrated Cook Islands and Bislama language weeks, highlighting cultural heritage and raising awareness about the impacts of climate change. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pacific-island-students-celebrate-language-and-culture-in-new-zealand --- Cite as: Pacific Island cultural heritage celebrations in New Zealand. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pacific-island-cultural-heritage-celebrations-in-new-zealand