This week, we honour te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani and the offerings of our people through Cook Islands Māori Language Week.
Aotearoa New Zealand joins with the Cook Islands community to mark 'Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani – Cook Islands Māori Language Week, running from Sunday 3 to Saturday 9 August 2025
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone says the Ministry for Pacific Peoples is proud to support the Cook Islands community in celebrating this important week.
“Te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani is a taonga. It holds the values, stories, and wisdom of generations. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands’ constitutional self-governance, this year’s theme reminds us that connection to language is connection to identity and community,” says Gerardine.
The 2025 theme is ‘Ātui’tui’ia au ki te raurau a tōku matakeinanga – Connect me to the offerings of my people. It’s a call to remember the treasures passed down through language, song, history, and relationships – and to honour the responsibility of passing those treasures on.
Julius Daniels, Board Trustee, Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand and a long-time advocate for re reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani, says the theme speaks deeply to who we are as a people.
“Our reo is more than just words – it’s a reflection of everything we carry: our values, our island heritage, our faith, and our resilience. Even if we’re still learning, every effort is an act of love for our culture. Our language connects us to our ancestors – and to each other,” says Julius Daniels.
“Our young people need to see that their culture is alive and thriving – not something from the past. Whether we’re fluent or learning, what matters is that we keep speaking, keep singing, keep creating space for our reo to grow. E mea puapinga – it all matters,” adds Julius.
Te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani is rich with poetic expression. A well-known saying from Aitutaki captures the spirit of this week: “Nōku ēi tōku pūrotu nō roto i te kutikuti o te Rangi” – My beauty has been gifted to me from the heavens above.
This phrase speaks not to appearance, but to inner value, inherited strength, and sacred identity.
This week is a chance for everyone to engage. Whether you’re attending a local event, sharing a greeting like “Kia Orana” or exploring a traditional imene (hymn), every action helps uplift the reo.
The Cook Islands Māori Language Week webpage and the NZ Cook Islands Māori Language Week Facebook page has information on events, resources and language guides.