Epetoma o te reo Māori Kuki Airani. It's Cook Islands Māori Language Week

Some 80,000 Cook Islands diaspora call Aotearoa home, making the Land of the Long White Cloud unofficially the largest island of the Cooks.

Tangatakiikii Pauline Teura’atua-Rupeni (Rarotonga, Atiu/Enuamanu, Raiatea – Tahiti) is head of the University’s South Auckland campus Te Papa ako o Tai Tonga. She says connection is key to maintaining both a strong sense of self and family ties. 

In the southern islands of the Cook Islands archipelago Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro, are called the Ngā pu toru islands (meaning three roots) and referring to the strong family ties of their ariki (chiefs.) 

At home in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the Ngā pu toru communities gather annually to celebrate Gospel Weekend, showcasing the arrival of Christianity on their islands. 

“It’s a great way to learn our language, learn our history and traditions, as well as eat some good island food! So if you’re ever lucky enough to be invited I would suggest you go along and the enjoy the day,” says Teura’atua-Rupeni who is proudly on her language learning journey. 

“I still shy away when I don’t pronounce a word right and I may not be able to hold a conversation just yet, but my willingness to stay on this language learning journey is strong.” 

She had advice for first time visitors to the Cook Islands, in particular its main island Rarotonga.

“If you’ve never been to the Cook Islands and you feel that you may get lost on their public transport, well think again. Rarotonga only has two bus routes: anti-clockwise and clockwise. It’s a great way to get around the island… If you do have a vehicle, it would take you 45 minutes to get around the entire island of Rarotonga, so if you start noticing the same coconut tree, you may have done a few laps already.” 

Kaiarahi for Faculty of Science, Teariki Tuiono (Atiu, Mangaia) oversees strategies that support Māori and Pacific staff and students. Tuiono is also one of the OGs of the University’s Cook Island Student Association established in the 1990s.

His grandfather was a Tumu kōrero, an orator and leader within the Cook Islands community; he passed on the values of honouring God, family, and community, with an emphasis on serving others for the greater good.

“When I think about who I am, I think about my grandfather who came to Aotearoa, New Zealand to seek out a prosperous future for his children and future generations.

“My language learning experiences have been varied through times spent with my grandparents at family functions, meetings, church gatherings, and family reunions. I thoroughly enjoyed the reunions as you get to meet all your cousins, including new ones you didn't know existed, and so forth.”

Unlike his grandfather and father who were fluent speakers, Tuiono says aspirations for his generation meant adopting English as a first language.

“It was seen as the language to move our people forward, and education was highly sought after. In my family, we have plenty of intellectuals and family members with letters after their names - that was a sacrifice made at the detriment of our language.”

Tuiono also hails from the island of Atiu, part of the southern group of the Cook Islands that are sparsley populated.

“The last count I think was a grand total of approximately 300 people living in Atiu.”

Academic Officer for Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa Gemma Matakeu Ngari (Rakahanga, Manihiki, Aitutaki, Rarotonga) grew up on the island of Rarotonga. She says hearing and speaking Cook Islands Māori was taken for granted.  

“Having conversations with peers in Cook Islands Māori takes a backseat to English at Waipapa Taumata Rau, where the language is mostly absent. I have grown a deeper connection to it as well as a profound appreciation for the proficiency I do have. 

“My relationship to Cook Island Māori has been one where day by day I grow confident and ever more proud to teach.” 

Did you know?

• Europeans first called the Cook Islands ‘Gente Hermosa’ (beautiful people) when Spanish explorers arrived in Rakahanga in 1606. 
• Cook Islanders celebrate Constitution Day on 4 August, first held 59 years ago in 1965 when they gained self-governance. 
• No building can be higher than the tallest Palm tree, a policy introduced after gaining self-governance. 
• There are over seven different dialects of Cook Islands Māori 
• Cook Islands have 15 islands with a population of approximately 17000 
• The Cook Islands diaspora in Aotearoa live predominantly in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. 
• The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand.