Honouring Jan Taouma: A Pioneer of Sāmoan Language and Early Childhood Education

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Tagata Pasifika | Television Series

Tributes are flowing for Janice, affectionately known as ‘Jan’ Taouma who is being remembered as a powerful  advocate for the Sāmoan language and a trailblazer in Pacific early childhood education, across the country.

Jan who hails from Invercargill passed away in Auckland at the age of 77, surrounded by her family, after a battle with lung disease.

A champion of Pacific Early Childhood Education for 40 years, Jan co-founded the first licensed A’oga Fa’a Samoa Language centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. She helped expand the A’oga into Richmond Road School before assisting in the development of a qualification pathway for language teachers.  

In 2014 she received a Queens Service Medal for services to early childhood education. In 2024 she was on hand to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the A’oga Fa’a Samoa. Jan is survived by her seven children, grand and great grandchildren. 

Manuia lau malaga Jan. 



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