The Cook Islands community are getting ready to take the lead with a week of celebrations for ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani - Cook Islands Māori Language Week, from Sunday 4 August to Saturday 10 August 2024.
This year the community has chosen the theme 'Ātui'ia au ki te vaka o tōku matakeinanga – connect me to the canoe of my tribe.
This theme continues to build on those of previous years, reflecting an ongoing desire to further deepen the connection Cook Islanders have to their culture, traditions and each other, through the beauty of their language.
UNESCO reports that te reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani is one of the endangered languages featured in the Pacific language week series supported by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone says the week is a chance for all of us to support the community strengthening their language by learning a phrase or two.
“With 15 Islands making up the Cook Islands and a richness of dialects making up the Cook Island Māori language, there are plenty of phrases everyone can use during their everyday activities. I encourage New Zealanders to take part in the week by exploring our resources, learning a phrase or joining one of the many events our Cook Islands community will be hosting.
“To our Cook Islands community here in New Zealand: Kia mataora e kia manuia tātou i teia ‘epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani – joyousness and blessings of wellbeing to us all in celebration of this Cook Islands Māori language week,” says Gerardine.
Visit the Cook Islands Māori Language Week page for resources, including a language guide with phrases to use during the week, information about events across the country, email signatures and social media graphics. Throughout the week the Facebook page will also share news, videos and updates from the community.
Media contact: Ministry for Pacific Peoples Director, Communications, Jaimee Burke at [email protected] or 0220114670.