Cook Islands Language Week 2025: Dates, Theme & Resources

If you’ve ever wanted to learn a phrase or two of Cook Islands Māori, this week gives you a reason to start. Cook Islands Māori Language Week runs from 3 to 9 August 2025, and the theme this year invites everyone to deepen their connection to Cook Islands culture through language. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has published free resources and announced funding for community groups across New Zealand to make celebrations accessible to schools, workplaces, and families.

Dates: 3–9 August 2025 · Theme: ‘Ātui’tui’ia au ki te raurau a tōku matakeinanga – Connect me to the offerings of my people · Organizer: Ministry for Pacific Peoples (NZ)

The table below consolidates the essential details for anyone planning to participate in this year’s Cook Islands Māori Language Week.

What is the theme for Cook Islands Language Week 2025?

The 2025 theme reads: “‘Ātui’tui’ia au ki te raurau a tōku matakeinanga” with the English translation “Connect me to the offerings of my people.” The phrase was published by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples as the official theme for the week (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Ora Toa also confirms this theme in its event listing (Ora Toa).

Theme translation and meaning

The Cook Islands Māori phrase centers on connection to heritage. “‘Ātui’tui’ia” conveys a sense of being tied or linked, while “te raurau a tōku matakeinanga” refers specifically to the cultural offerings, skills, and traditions of one’s community. The Ministry frames it as an invitation for New Zealanders with Cook Islands ancestry to reconnect through language and for others to learn about Cook Islands culture.

How the theme connects to Cook Islands culture

Cook Islands culture places strong emphasis on family ties (vaka), community contributions, and oral traditions. The theme reflects these values by positioning language as the vehicle for cultural transmission. Te Papa’s educational resources for the week note that family, culture, and spirituality form the core themes explored during celebrations, with Cook Islands quilts serving as one tangible example of cultural heritage passed through generations (Te Papa Museum).

What is Cook Islands Language Week?

Cook Islands Language Week, formally called Te ‘epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, is one of 12 Pacific Language Weeks celebrated annually in New Zealand. Each week focuses on preserving and promoting a specific Pacific language and its associated culture (Pasifika in the Bay Trust). The Ministry for Pacific Peoples organizes the series, which began with Samoa Language Week in 2007 and has since expanded to cover languages from Rotuma, Tonga, Tuvalu, Niue, Tokelau, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and others (Pasifika in the Bay Trust).

History and purpose

The Pacific Language Weeks series emerged from concerns about language loss among Pacific communities in New Zealand. Research indicates that Pacific languages are vital to cultural identity and wellbeing, according to Pasifika in the Bay Trust. The Ministry funds community organizations to host activities ranging from dance workshops and cooking classes to oratory competitions and language lessons. Funding scales with scope—CIDANZ received $50,000 for comprehensive multi-activity programs while smaller groups like Tama’aru Dance Group received $1,560 for specific initiatives (Ministry for Pacific Peoples).

Official name: Te ‘epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani

The official name uses Cook Islands Māori for “the pattern/sample of the Cook Islands Māori language.” Te Papa’s teaching resources note that the week explores Cook Islands Māori words, phrases, pronunciation guides, activity ideas, stories, and songs, along with profiles of language champions who have helped preserve the language (Te Papa Museum). AUT also promotes resources including greetings, email signatures, and printable posters to help workplaces and individuals participate (AUT News).

What are the dates for Cook Islands Language Week 2025?

Cook Islands Māori Language Week 2025 runs from 3 to 9 August 2025. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples confirms these dates on its official page (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Ora Toa also lists the same dates (Ora Toa), and Pasifika in the Bay Trust includes Cook Islands Māori within the broader 2025 Pacific Language Weeks calendar running from May to November (Pasifika in the Bay Trust).

Exact dates and duration

The week spans seven days, matching the format used across all Pacific Language Weeks. Bislama (Vanuatu) Language Week precedes it, running 27 July–2 August 2025, which means the two weeks are consecutive. Tonga Language Week follows immediately after, 17–23 August, creating a cluster of three Pacific language celebrations within a month (Pasifika in the Bay Trust).

Comparison to prior years

The week has been held annually, typically in August, though specific dates shift year to year based on the Ministry’s calendar planning. The Ministry has already published 2026 dates, allowing schools and community groups to plan ahead (Pasifika in the Bay Trust).

How do you say “hi” in Cook Island?

The most common greeting in Cook Islands Māori is “Kia orana,” which translates roughly to “Hello” or “Good day.” The phrase appears across official Ministry resources, Te Papa teaching materials, and AUT promotional content as a recommended starting point for learners (AUT News).

Basic greetings in Cook Islands Māori

Beyond “Kia orana,” learners can use several other practical phrases. “Ka kite” means “goodbye” or “see you later.” “Meitaki” works as “thank you.” The Ministry’s resource page for workplaces suggests using Cook Islands Māori greetings in email signatures to normalize the language in daily interactions (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Te Papa’s resources provide additional phrases with pronunciation guides to help educators and beginners (Te Papa Museum).

Pronunciation guide

Cook Islands Māori uses vowel sounds similar to Hawaiian or Māori. “A” sounds like “ah,” “E” like “eh,” “I” like “ee,” “O” like “oh,” and “U” like “oo.” Consonants generally follow English pronunciation. Te Papa’s resources include audio-style descriptions to help with tones and emphasis, which matter for correct meaning in Cook Islands Māori.

What activities and resources are available for Cook Islands Language Week 2025?

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples provides free downloadable resources including social media graphics, A3 posters, and email signatures on its official page (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Pasifika in the Bay Trust’s Pacific Language Weeks hub also offers free resources suitable for workplaces and schools (Pasifika in the Bay Trust). Beyond downloads, the Ministry funds community organizations across New Zealand to run physical events and activities.

Posters and downloads

The primary resource hub is the Ministry’s dedicated Cook Islands Māori Language Week page, which provides brand-ready assets for social media and printing. Twinkl also offers printable multi-page display banners suitable for classrooms, school foyers, libraries, and assemblies (Twinkl educational platform). Te Papa provides teaching resources including activity ideas, stories, songs, and information on language champions that educators can use directly (Te Papa Museum).

School and workplace ideas

Ministry funding supports activities across multiple regions. In Auckland, the Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand received $12,000 for digital and online language learning combined with traditional dance, arts, crafts, and music (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Aitutaki Enua Society Incorporated in Auckland received $11,500 for community awareness events, cultural arts, and traditional cooking (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Schools can incorporate greetings into morning announcements, run craft sessions based on Cook Islands patterns, or invite community groups to perform traditional dance.

In Wellington, CIDANZ received $50,000 for a comprehensive program including conversational classes, cultural practices, oratory, storytelling, arts, crafts, dance, and music (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). The Akatokamanava Organisation Wellington Incorporated received $1,100 for storytelling and oral history workshops (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Porirua Cook Islands Association received $2,500 for community awareness, oratory, arts and crafts, and health promotion activities (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). For those looking to get into the festive spirit, you can find a Big W Christmas tree guide to help you choose the perfect tree.

Music, dance, art celebrations

Common activity types across funded organizations include traditional dance, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, oratory, cooking, and community awareness events (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). The Rotorua Cook Islands Society Incorporated received $3,800 for community awareness, arts and crafts, and traditional dance in Bay of Plenty (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). In Canterbury, the Cook Islands Canterbury Rugby League received $1,425 for community awareness workshops and health activities (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Te Vaka Cook Islands Dunedin Inc in Otago received $2,150 for workshops and educational resources (Ministry for Pacific Peoples).

Hamilton Cook Islands Association Incorporated (HAMCIA) received $1,800 for school-based community awareness, music, and traditional dance in Waikato (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Ekalesia Kerisitiano Kuki Airani in Wellington received $2,700 for workshops on cooking, arts, crafts, and intergenerational fellowship (Ministry for Pacific Peoples). Funding supports events across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland regions (Ministry for Pacific Peoples).

The implication: with over $85,000 in confirmed Ministry funding distributed across 12+ organizations, Cook Islands communities nationwide have resources to stage meaningful celebrations beyond symbolic gestures.

Where the dates fit in the Pacific Language Weeks calendar

The 2025 Pacific Language Weeks schedule spans May to November and includes 12 languages. Rotuman Language Week opened the year on 11–17 May 2025, followed by Samoa Language Week 1–7 June, then Niue (29 June–5 July), Tokelau (6–12 July), Fijian (13–19 July), Tuvaluan (20–26 July), Bislama (27 July–2 August), Cook Islands Māori (3–9 August), Tonga (17–23 August), Kiribati (24–30 August), Tuvalu (14–20 September), Niue (19–25 October), and Solomon Islands Pidgin (23–29 November) (Pasifika in the Bay Trust). The consecutive placement of Bislama and Cook Islands Māori weeks creates a Pacific language cluster in late July and early August.

Organizations with Pacific staff or community members from multiple backgrounds can leverage the clustered calendar to run broader Pacific heritage programming rather than treating each week in isolation. The Ministry’s unified resource hub at pasifikainthebay.co.nz makes cross-referencing weeks straightforward.

Two perspectives on the week

“‘Ātui’tui’ia au ki te raurau a tōku matakeinanga – Connect me to the offerings of my people.”

— Ministry for Pacific Peoples, official theme announcement (Ministry for Pacific Peoples)

Pacific languages are vital to cultural identity and well-being. The Language Weeks give our communities a chance to celebrate, learn, and pass traditions to the next generation.

— Pasifika in the Bay Trust, community organizer (Pasifika in the Bay Trust)

Confirmed facts and open questions

The pattern: official sources cover dates, theme, and funding with precision, but public-facing event calendars remain fragmented across community organizations. The Ministry’s page serves as the authoritative hub, but individual group activities require direct contact or regional searches to confirm.

Celebrate Cook Islands Language Week 2025

Whether you have Cook Islands heritage or simply want to learn more about the culture, the week offers multiple entry points. Download free posters and social media graphics from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website to share with your network. Use “Kia orana” as a greeting in emails or conversations. Explore Te Papa’s teaching resources for classroom or family activities. If you’re in Auckland, Wellington, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, or Otago, look for funded community events running throughout the week. The 2025 theme makes the invitation explicit: connect to the offerings of your people, or learn about another culture’s offerings. For organizers, the 2026 dates are already published—start planning now to match or exceed this year’s programming.