This year’s theme for ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week is 'Ātuitui’ia au ki te au peu o tōku kāinga Ipukarea, which means, "connect me to the traditions & culture of my homeland".
The 2023 theme is an extension of last year's theme of ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna, or "connect me to the soil of my ancestors".
Where last year's theme was an effort to bridge the 'disconnect' that many of our Cook Islands people are feeling, this year's theme focuses on deepening our people's connection to their culture, and ultimately, their language. It focuses on connecting Cook Islanders to the traditions, cultures and dialects of their many islands.
Setting the theme for Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani has never been about stringing together beautiful words. It has always been about intentionally deepening the bonds of our people to their language through their familial ties, through the cultural traditions of their enua/vaka, and the songs, dance, and pe’e’s of their family.
Together, these are the pillars that empower Cook Islanders to be proud in their culture, language and identity, ultimately reinforcing this year's theme of 'Ātuitui’ia au ki te au peu o tōku kāinga Ipukarea.
Watch this page for a calendar of activities and events to be held through Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate Cook Islands Language Week.
Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Cook Islands Language Week Facebook page.
Cook Islands Language Week video clips presented by members of the Pacific Aotearoa Cook Islands Community for ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week 2023.
Check them out on YouTube here
Official Cook Islands Language Week posters (PDF)
A4 poster
A4 poster - with crop marks
A3 poster
A3 poster - with crop marks
A3 poster templates - pdf containing 5 template variations
Cook Islands Language Cards - 6 page PDF
Email Signatures:
Backgrounds:
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Rectangular Tiles - 1200 x 628 px (jpg):
Instagram Story Tiles - 1080 x 1920 px (jpg):
Banner Tiles - (jpg):
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Cook Islands Language Week Theme 2023:
'Ātuitui’ia au ki te au peu o tōku kāinga Ipukarea: Connect me to the traditions & culture of my homeland - (MP3) - Listen
Simple greetings and phrases:
|
Date |
Event |
Time |
Venue |
Host |
|
Sunday 30 July |
National Anthem & String Band Song |
11am - 12pm |
Online |
Pacific Media Network |
|
Sunday 30 July |
Official Opening Prayer Service |
5pm |
Atiu Community Hall, 7 Atiu Place, Favona, Auckland |
CIDANZ & Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council |
|
Monday 31 July |
Porirua Cook Island Flag Raising Event |
8am - 9am |
Peace Memorial, Te Rauparaha Park, Porirua |
Poriruacity |
|
Monday 31 July |
Official Opening Ceremony |
9:30am |
MIT Pasifika Community Centre, 53 Ōtara Road, Ōtara, Auckland |
CIDANZ & Cook Islands Teachers & Educators Collective NZ |
| Monday 31 July | Flag Ceremony, National Anthem & Blessing | 10am |
Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, Wellington |
Niu Horizon - Ministry of Social Development |
| Monday 31 July | National Anthem Song/Performance | 11am - 12pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
|
Tuesday 1 August |
String Band Song |
11am - 12pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
|
Tuesday 1 August |
Maani Rakei (Costume Making) |
11:30am - 3pm | Panmure Library, 7/13 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland | East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Incorp. |
|
Wednesday 2 August |
Arts & Crafts Exhibition & Workshops: |
10am & 12pm | Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, Wellington Please report to Reception on Level 1 |
Niu Horizon - Ministry of Social Development RSVP email: [email protected] |
|
Wednesday 2 August |
Te Mekameka o te Pā Maunga Documentary Premiere | 7pm | Māngere Arts Centre Corner Bader Drive and Orly Avenue, Māngere, Auckland |
|
| Wednesday 2 August | A Guide to te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani Slang with Tina Maro | 11am - 12pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
|
Thursday 3 August |
Cook Islands Intermediate School Speech Competition | 9am - 11.30am | Manurewa Intermediate, 76 Russell Road, Manurewa, Auckland | Manurewa Intermediate |
|
Thursday 3 August |
Cook Island Fashion / Akuyanga Fashion | 11am - 12pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
|
Thursday 3 August |
Cook Islands Intermediate Dance Competition | 12.30pm - 2.30pm | Manurewa Intermediate, 76 Russell Road, Manurewa, Auckland | Manurewa Intermediate |
|
Thursday 3 August |
Cook Islands Cultural Performance | 6pm - 7pm | Westfield Manukau City, Auckland | Centre for Pacific Languages |
| Friday 4 August | Matua Ola programme | 9am - 2:30pm | Pasifika Community Hall, 21 Havelock Ave, Palmerston North | Kūki ‘Āirani o Manawatu Trust |
| Friday 4 August | Share Lunch with Keynote Speaker Analiese Enoka-Robertson Please bring a plate of food to share |
11:30am - 1pm | Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, Wellington Please report to Reception on Level 1 |
Niu Horizon - Ministry of Social Development RSVP email: [email protected] |
| Friday 4 August | Cook Island Youth Drumming & Dancing | 12pm - 2pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
| Saturday 5 August | Official Closing Ceremony | 9:30am | Tinwald War Memorial Hall, 10 Graham Street, Tinwald, Ashburton | Ashburton Cook Islands Community |
| Saturday 5 August | Te Tuareka O Manurewa Performance | 11am - 12pm | Online | Pacific Media Network |
| Saturday 5 August | Atuitui’ia au ki te au peu o Toku kainga Ipukarea |
1:30pm |
Crossroads, Cnr Cook & Church Street, Palmerston North |
Kuki 'Airani o Manawatu Trust |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Language Week preparations in 2022:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
CIDANZ |
Wellington |
50,000.00 |
Kuki ‘Āirani |
Language week: language learning through community awareness events, conversational classes, reading and writing, cultural and traditional practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and crafts, dance and music workshops |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Language Week preparations in 2021:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
CIDANZ |
Wellington |
50,000.00 |
Kuki ‘Āirani |
Language learning classes for all levels and teach through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance, music and events |
|
Cook Islands Society of Tokoroa |
Hamilton |
5,000.00 |
Kuki ‘Āirani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, and storytelling |
|
Te Vaka Cook Islands of Dunedin Inc |
Dunedin |
5,000.00 |
Kuki ‘Āirani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, and church resources |
|
Victoria University of Wellington Cook Islands Association |
Wellington |
1,930.00 |
Kuki ‘Āirani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance, music and showcasing Cook Islands films |