NCEA L1 Vagahau Niue key terms

The Niuean language, a Polynesian language of the Malayo-Polynesian family, spoken mainly on Niue and in New Zealand. It has its own written tradition and is taught as a subject in New Zealand schools.

A greeting meaning 'hello' or 'welcome', and also the idea of love, kindness or compassion. It appears constantly in everyday speech, songs and formal welcomes, so learners meet it early and often.

A farewell or parting word; also used to express thanks or good wishes when someone leaves. Context and tone decide whether it means 'goodbye', 'thank you' or 'best wishes'.

Parents or elders; the older generation of a family or village. The word carries respect, and elders are expected to guide younger people in language, custom and behaviour.

To explain, describe or give an account of something; also a spoken or written explanation. A common instruction word in listening and reading tasks, signalling that detail and clarity are expected.

To make something clear, to clarify or shed light on a point. Used when a speaker or writer explains a difficult idea or corrects a misunderstanding so the audience can follow.

A question, or to ask. In speaking and listening assessments, recognising a question and responding appropriately is a basic skill, including the rising intonation that often marks it.

To answer or reply; also to accept or receive something. A key word in conversation, interviews and listening tasks where a response to a question must be understood and produced.

Speech, talk, or to speak. It refers to the act of talking and to the words used, and appears in many phrases about language, speaking and communication.

A story, narrative or account; also to tell. Used for both traditional stories and simple personal recounts, so it links reading of texts with writing and oral retelling.

A traditional story or legend passed down through generations, often explaining origins, places or customs. Understanding these narratives requires attention to characters, sequence and cultural meaning.

A song or to sing. Songs are a major way language and culture are carried, and listening to or describing a pese is a realistic task involving rhythm, repetition and meaning.

To sing or a song, often associated with performance and celebration. Closely related to pese, it appears in descriptions of festivals, church events and community gatherings.

A celebration, feast or gathering with food, dancing and entertainment; also the feeling of happiness. A frequent topic in texts about village life and family events.

Work, job or task; also to work. Used in texts about daily routines, occupations and school tasks, and useful when describing what people do during the day.

To learn or teach; education. The same word covers both sides of learning, so context shows whether a person is studying or instructing others.

A school or place of learning. Appears in texts about daily life, timetables and childhood, and is a common setting for listening and reading passages.

Family, including the wider extended family. Central to Niuean social life, it appears in texts about relationships, obligations and celebrations, and in personal writing about oneself.

An island, or a piece of land surrounded by sea. Used in geography texts, travel descriptions and stories about places, and often appears with names of specific islands.

The sea or ocean. Important in Niuean life and storytelling, appearing in descriptions of fishing, travel, weather and traditional narratives about voyages.

Land, country or territory; also the people of a place. A broad word linking geography with identity, common in texts about home, belonging and environment.

Fish, or to fish. A staple food and a common activity, appearing in recounts of daily life, food texts and stories about the sea.

Food, or to eat. One of the most frequent everyday words, useful in texts about meals, markets, health and family routines.

Water, especially fresh water. Appears in texts about drinking, cooking, weather and the environment, and often combines with other words to name places or sources.

A year; also a season or period of time. Needed for dates, ages and durations in listening and reading, and for sequencing events in writing.

A month; also the moon. Used for dates and calendars, and in traditional references to lunar cycles and planting or fishing seasons.

A day, as a unit of time. Appears in greetings, timetables and recounts, and combines with numbers to give dates and durations.

To kiss or to smell; a kiss. A concrete everyday verb that appears in descriptions of greetings, family affection and cultural protocol.

To thank, or thanks. A polite formula used constantly in conversation, letters and speeches, and expected in formal and informal writing alike.

An expression of excuse or apology, said when passing in front of someone, interrupting, or asking pardon. Its correct use shows awareness of respectful behaviour in Niuean settings.

A negative word meaning 'no' or 'not', used to negate statements and to answer questions negatively. Essential for forming negatives in speaking and writing.

A question particle placed at the end of a sentence to turn it into a yes-or-no question. Recognising it is vital in listening, and using it correctly is vital in speaking.

A particle used before names and noun phrases, especially in identifying sentences such as naming a person or thing. It marks the subject or the thing being identified.

A particle with several roles, including marking a verb phrase or an object after certain verbs. Its position in a sentence affects meaning, so learners must notice it in reading.

A pronoun meaning 'he', 'she' or 'it', referring to a person or thing already mentioned. Following who or what a pronoun refers to is a common reading comprehension skill.

The first-person pronoun 'I' or 'me'. Used constantly in self-introductions, personal recounts and interviews, and pairs with possessive forms that change with context.

A group, team or side, such as a sports team or a working party. Appears in texts about sport, community projects and school activities where people act together.

A phrase expressing affection or sympathy, literally linking love and kindness. Useful in letters, cards and speeches where warmth and respect must be conveyed appropriately.

A letter, book or written document; also to write. Central to the writing domain, covering both the act of writing and the texts a candidate produces or reads.

To discuss or converse; a discussion. Used in speaking tasks where candidates exchange views, and in listening texts such as interviews or group conversations.