This year's Cook Islands Language Week theme is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors. This Cook Islands Language we encourage all Kiwis to celebrate the rich language and culture of the Cook Islands.

Did you know? There are three distinct Polynesian languages spoken in the Cook Islands:

• Cook Islands Māori is an Eastern Polynesian language with a number of dialects. This language belongs to the same language family as New Zealand Māori and the languages of Hawai‘i and Tahiti.
• Pukapuka is a Western Polynesian language, belonging to the same language family as the languages of Sāmoa, Tuvalu, and Tokelau.
• Palmerston Island has its own unique and distinctive mixture of Cook Islands Māori and English.

Learning a new language gives us insight into new ways of thinking, and to different beliefs and cultural practices, so make sure you have a go!

https://www.mpp.govt.nz/assets/Pacific-Language-Cards/Te-Reo-Maori-Kuki-Airani-Language-Cards.pdf

Source: Ministry for Pacific Peoples / New Zealand Ministry of Education