The 2026 theme for Cook Islands Māori Language Week is “Me kite koe i te tuatua i to’ou reo tupuna, e turanga rangatira tena nō’ou no te uki amuri atu" - With our language as our foundation, we will embrace the future.
Resources, including social media graphics and posters, are available to download now.
Download Cook Islands Maori social media tile - 1080 x 1080px (PNG 1.9 MB)
Download Cook Islands Māori Language Week tile - 1080 x 1350px (PNG 3.2 MB)
Download Cook Islands Māori Language Week story tile - 1080 x 1920px (PNG 5.4 MB)
Download office banter tile - 1080x1080 (PNG8 2.9 MB)
Download office banter tile - 1080x1350px (PNG 3.4 MB)
Download lunch phrases tile - 1080x1080 (PNG 2.9 MB)
Download lunch phrases tile - 1080x1350px (PNG 3.4 MB)
Download Cook Islands Māori Language Week Facebook banner - 851x315px (PNG 772 KB)
Download Cook Islands Māori Language Week LinkedIn banner - 1128 x 191px (PNG 771 KB)
Download Cook Islands Māori Language Week X banner - 1500 x 500px (PNG 1.9MB)
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Saturday 1 August |
Cook Islands Market - Food Stalls and Entertainment |
6am 275 Māngere Flea Market, Māngere Town Centre |
Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council NZ (CIRACNZ) |
|
Saturday 1 August |
Celebrating our nation, our language with the Ombudsman delegation Rarotonga, Cook Islands
|
11am-12pm Cook Islands Society Hall, 220 Hanson St, Wellington
|
Cook Islands Society Association Wellington |
|
Saturday 1 August |
Official Cook Islands Language Week Opening Church Service |
2pm PIC Newton Church (2 Edinburgh Street, Auckland)
|
Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council NZ (CIRACNZ) |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Sunday 2 August |
Apii Reo mama Takutai-Ote-Titi Marae |
6am - 12pm, Takutai-o-te-Titi Marae/Colic Bay |
Kia Orana Murihiku |
|
Sunday 2 August |
Cook Islands Language Week opening service |
9am St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa)
|
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Sunday 2 August |
Invercargill Cook Islands Church Ministers Program |
2pm - 4pm Pacific Island Charitable Trust, 135 Bowmont St |
Invercargill Cook Islands Church Ministers Program |
|
Sunday 2 August |
Opening of the Cook Islands Language Week combine church service |
5pm - 6pm Te Akapuanga Hall, Cannons Creek, Porirua |
Porirua Cook Islands Association |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Monday 3 August |
Pataka Museum, Porirua 8am - 9am Flag Raising ceremony |
8am - 9am Pataka Museum, Porirua |
Porirua City Council in collaboration with PCIA |
|
Monday 3 August |
Cook Islands Donuts |
10am-12pm Onehunga Community Centre |
Onehunga Oranga Hub |
|
Monday 3 August |
Cook Islands Language Week Opening |
11am Glen Innes Library |
East Cook Islands Community Culture Group |
|
Monday 3 August |
Kia Orana Murihiku Exhibition |
11am - 12:30pm Invercargill Centre Mall
|
Kia Orana Murihiku |
|
Monday 3 August |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou culture promotions into schools |
10:30am - 1pm School visit |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou Culture Team |
|
Monday 3 August |
Hula Fitness |
6pm-7pm Rangikura School, Porirua |
Pacifit Team |
|
Monday 3 August |
Apii Reo Māori Language Class with Maine Tarai |
6pm-8pm St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Constitution Day Celebration |
10am Pasifika Community Centre - MIT Otara |
Cook Islands Teachers and Educators Collective New Zealand (CITECNZ) Mama Tupou Manapouri MNZM |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Pa Metua Day - Cook Island Independence Day |
10am - 2pm Pacific Island Charitable Trust, 135 Bormont St
|
Pa Metua Kuki Airni |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Apii Tuitui Tivaevae |
10am-3pm St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
T-shirt Stencil Printing (Bring your own T-shirt) |
10:30am-12pm Onehunga Community Centre |
Onehunga Oranga Hub |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Activities at Panmure Library Storytime 10:30am Board Painting Workshop 11am Board Painting Workshop 12:30pm |
10:30am - 2pm Panmure Library |
|
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Apii Ura with Tamariki o te Vaorakau |
5pm St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Pukapuka Wenua - Cultural sharing and performances |
6pm-8pm Queen Elizabeth College |
Mama Kitiona Tauola 022 121 6955 |
|
Tuesday 4 August |
Mitiaro Enua - Cultural Sharing and Performances |
6-8pm Te Akapuanga Hall, Cannons Creek, Porirua |
Mitiaro Committee 2026 |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Rā Mākete |
10am Mangere Metro Theatre (362 Massey Rd, Mangere) |
Vaka Tautua Pā Metua Kuki Airani |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Story time for preschoolers, ECEs, and families |
10:30am Ōtara Library |
Auckland Libraries |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou culture Promotions into schools |
10:30am - 1pm School visit
|
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou Culture Team |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Taokotaianga Punanga reo showcase |
11am |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Board painting Workshops |
11am - 3:30pm Te Oro (98 Line Road Glen Innes, Auckland) |
East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Auckland Council |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Autaratara mai |
4pm-7pm Onehunga Community Centre |
Onehunga Oranga Hub |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Akono ia toou melo Pacific Pearls workout |
6pm St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Araura Enua - cultural sharing and performances |
6pm -8pm Te Fale Manihiki Rakahanga hall, Porirua |
Araura Committee 2026 |
|
Wednesday 5 August |
Mangaia Enua - Cultural Sharing and Performances |
6pm - 8pm Windley School, Porirua |
Mangaia Committee 2026 |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Te Au Āpi'i Kuki Airani Punanga Reo Maeva Nui Celebration |
9:30am Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre (Newbury St, Ōtara) |
Te Tuareka o Manurewa Punanga Reo |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Tufine Pasifika – Cook Islands Language Week 2026 Workshop |
10am Mangere Bowling Club |
Tufine Pasifika |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Vainetini |
10am - 2pm Pacific Island Charitable Trust, 135 Bormont St
|
Taokotaianga Vainetini Kuki Airani |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou culture promotion into schools |
10:30am - 1pm School Visit |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou Culture Team |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Cook Islands at Oranga Fakataha |
12:30pm-2pm Fergusson Hall |
Onehunga Oranga Hub |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Activities at Glen Innes Library |
11am - 4pm Glen Innes Library |
Glen Innes Library |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Tara Mangaia Workshop |
5:30pm The POD (260 Ness St, Appleby, Invercargill) |
Kia Orana Murihiku |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Cook Islands Food market |
4pm-6pm Tokoroa High School |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Kimikimi Puapinga Batons Up |
6pm St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Atiu Enua - Cultural Sharing and Performances |
6pm - 8pm Nuanua Kindergarten, Porirua |
Atiu Committee 2026 |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Pamati Enua - Cultural Sharing and Performances |
6pm - 8pm Victory Church of Wellington |
Pamati Committee 2026 |
|
Thursday 6 August |
Sekeseke Hulafit Workout |
6:30pm BBM Gym (49 Ashworth Street, Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Friday 7 August |
Koni Raoni |
10am Forest View High School |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Friday 7 August |
Coconut in Our Cuisine |
10am-12pm Onehunga Community Centre |
Onehunga Oranga Hub |
|
Friday 7 August |
Activities at Glen Innes Community Hall Story Time: 10am - 10:30am Beads Activity: 11am - 1:30pm Ei Katu Workshop: 2pm - 4pm |
10am - 4pm Glen Innes Community Hall |
East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Auckland Council |
|
Friday 7 August |
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou culture promotions into schools |
10:30am - 1pm School visit
|
Te Vaka ote Uki Ou Culture Team |
|
Friday 7 August |
Kew Pacific pre-school language program & activities |
11am - 1pm Pacific Island Charitable Trust, 135 Bormont St
|
Pacific Island Charitable Trust (PIACT) |
| Friday 7 August | Rā Peu Māori Performance Evening |
5pm University of Auckland, 34 Princes Street, Auckland CBD |
Auckland Universities' Cook Islands Students Association (AUCISA) |
| Friday 7 August | Pukapuka Wenua - Cultural sharing and performances |
6pm - 8pm Girls High School, Palmerston North |
Pukapuka committee 2026 |
| Friday 7 August | Te Eiva Nui Dance rehearsals | 6pm St Lukes PIPC Hall (Tokoroa) | Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
| Saturday 8 August |
Cook Islands Manihiki Gospel Day |
St John Presbyterian Church (120 Great South Rd) |
Matahorua Tamariki Tukao Aotearoa |
| Saturday 8 August |
Official Cook Islands Language Week Closing Church Service |
Enuamanu Atiu Hall (7 Atiu Place, Favona) |
Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council NZ (CIRACNZ) |
| Saturday 8 August |
Mangaia Day Tau Umu/Mangaia Hangi Variety of Mangaia activities & entertainments |
6am 11am - 3pm Mangaia Hall 153 Stirrat St |
Southland Mangaia Club |
|
Saturday 8 August |
Pacific Market |
9am Pacific Market, Pacific Island Charitable Trust, 135 Bowmont
|
Pacific Island Charitable Trust (PIACT) |
| Saturday 8 August | Cook Islands Day celebration and Closing of Cook Islands Language Week ceremony |
10am-3pm Te Akapuanga Hall, Cannons Creek, Porirua |
Porirua Cook Islands Association |
| Saturday 8 August | EKA Makete (10am-12pm) Te Eiva Nui Dance Competition (3pm) |
10am St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
| Saturday 8 August | Culture Performance/Te Vaka ote Uki Ou |
10:30am Te Vaka ote Uki Ou - Culture |
|
| Saturday 8 August | Cook Islands Language Week Closing |
1:45pm Te Oro (98 Line Road Glen Innes, Auckland |
East Cook Islands Community Culture Group |
| Saturday 8 August | E tu'e ta te Patiki - Pacific Sharks Playoffs |
2pm South Waikato Sport and Events Centre |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Date |
Event |
Time & Venue |
Host |
|
Sunday 9 August |
Pure Kapipiti |
11am St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Sunday 9 August |
Pure Kuki Airani |
11am St Lukes PIPC (Tokoroa) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Sunday 9 August |
Metua e Ora Nei Elderly Luncheon |
1pm Tokoroa SDA (28 Kent Street) |
Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated |
|
Sunday 9 August |
Combin Church Service |
2pm - 4pm Pacific Island Charitable Trust 135 Bowmont St |
Invercargill Cook Island Church Ministers Program |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Māori Language Week preparations in 2026:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
| East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Inc | Auckland | $2910 |
Kūki 'Airani |
| Southland Mangaia Society Incorporated | Southland | $3200 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Atuitui Charitable Trust | Southland | $2700 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated | Tokoroa | $10,000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook Islands Teachers & Educators Collective NZ | Auckland | $5000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Taokotaianga Vainetini Kuki Airani Southland | Southland | $1800 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook Islands Community Whanganui | Whanganui | $1710 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Matahoraua Tamariki Tukaao Aotearoa | Auckland | $2000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Tufine Pasifika | Auckland | $1500 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Te Vaka Cook Islands Dunedin Inc | Dunedin | $3000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Kia Orāna Murihiku Charitable Trust | Southland | $2680 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Victory Church of Wellington | Wellington | $6500 | Kūki 'Airani |
| A'ua'u 'Enua Mangaia Culture Group | Auckland | $4000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Rotorua CookIslands Society Incorporated | Rotorua | $3000 | Kūki 'Airani |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Māori Language Week preparations in 2025:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
|
Te Hiku Avaiki Nui |
Northland |
$1500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
| Te Punanga Tauturu O Te Kuki Airani | Auckland | $4000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Kuki Learning Limited | Christchurch | $4900 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Akatokamanava Mauke Enua Association (Nz) Incorporated | Auckland | $4300 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand | Auckland | $10,300 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Hawkes Bay Community Group | Hawkes Bay | $2500 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook Islands Community Society (Tokoroa) Incorporated | Tokoroa | $10,000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Taokotaianga Vainetini Kuki Airani Southland | Southland | $1950 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Cook island Christian Church Society Invercargill (CICC Society Inc) | Southland | $4240 | Kūki 'Airani |
| Te Moananui Society Incorporated | Tauranga | $2000 | Kūki 'Airani |
| East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Inc | Auckland | $2500 | Kūki 'Airani |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Māori Language Week preparations in 2024:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
Te Hiku Avaiki Nui |
Northland |
$1,500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness event, cultural arts and crafts exhibition. |
|
Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand |
Auckland |
$12,000 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, and music. |
|
Aitutaki Enua Society Incorporated |
Auckland |
$11,500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness events, cultural arts and traditional cooking. |
|
Tama'aru Dance Group |
Auckland |
$1,560 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through traditional dance, community awareness workshops and arts and crafts activities. |
|
Maine Kuki Airani Aotearoa (Miss Cook Islands NZ) |
Auckland |
$500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness events. |
|
Akatokamanava Mauke Enua Association (NZ) Inc |
Auckland |
$3,500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through oral history, music and storytelling activities. |
|
East Cook Islands Community Culture Group Inc |
Auckland |
$1,469.40 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness, arts and crafts, music, and traditional dancing activities. |
|
Polynesian Creative Artists |
Auckland |
$2,000 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Learning activities through community awareness and cultural arts workshops. |
|
Hamilton Cook Islands Association Incorporated (HAMCIA) |
Waikato |
$1,800 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Learning activities through community awareness in schools and music and traditional dance activities. |
|
Te Moananui Society Incorporated |
Bay of Plenty |
$900 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness events and traditional dance and music. |
|
Rotorua Cook Islands Society Incorporated |
Bay of Plenty |
$3,800 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness events, arts and crafts, and traditional dance. |
|
Akatokamanava Organisation Wellington Incorporated |
Wellington |
$1,100 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through storytelling and oral history workshops. |
|
Cannons Creek Business Owners Collective Trust |
Wellington |
$1,500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning community awareness events, arts and crafts workshops. |
|
Porirua Cook Islands Association |
Wellington |
$2,500 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning activities through community awareness events, oratory, arts and crafts, and health promotion. |
|
Ekalesia Kerisitiano Kuki Airani |
Wellington |
$2,700 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning workshops through community awareness events, cooking, arts and crafts and intergenerational fellowship. |
|
Cook Islands Canterbury Rugby League |
Canterbury |
$1,425 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning community awareness event/ workshops and health and wellbeing activities. |
|
Te Vaka Cook Islands Dunedin Inc |
Otago |
$2,150 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through workshops and educational resources. |
|
Atuitui Charitable Trust |
Southland |
$900 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through community awareness events in the Southland region. |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Māori Language Week preparations in 2023:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand |
Auckland |
$50,000 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through digital/online learning, traditional dance, arts and crafts, and music |
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Cook Islands Māori Language Week preparations in 2022:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
CIDANZ |
Wellington |
50,000.00 |
Kūki 'Airani |
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 Māori Language Week preparations in 2021:
|
Organisation/Group Name |
Location |
Approved Amount |
Language |
Initiative focus |
|
CIDANZ |
Wellington |
50,000.00 |
Kūki 'Airani |
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 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, and storytelling |
|
Te Vaka Cook Islands of Dunedin Inc |
Dunedin |
5,000.00 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, and church resources |
|
Victoria University of Wellington Cook Islands Association |
Wellington |
1,930.00 |
Kūki 'Airani |
Language learning through cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts and craft, dance, music and showcasing Cook Islands films |
