Welcome to Cook Islands Language Week 2021 being held from Sunday 1 August – Saturday 7 August, 2021. This year’s theme for ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors.
The theme reflects on the journey of Cook Islands peoples in New Zealand, as well as the longing of young Cook Islanders to connect with their language, culture, and identity. Acknowledging that while community elders are fundamental to the teaching and sharing of Cook Islands language, the leadership of young people as the next wave of cultural and language experts is also critical in keeping the connection to their homelands alive.
This year’s theme also reflects the overarching 2021 Pacific Language Week theme of Wellbeing, by linking the importance of language to overall wellbeing. The three official languages are English, Cook Islands Māori and Pukapukan. Cook Islands Māori has a number of dialects, the most widely used is Rarotongan. The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands that are divided up into Northern and Southern groups.
Unitec Library has resources both in electronic and print version to learn more about the culture, language and history. Check out the Unitec Library catalogue and our Pacific subject guide.
Use the hashtag #CookIslandsLanguageWeek to follow the events on social media.
Come in and see our display at Te Puna Library (Level 1, Building 180).
For more information, visit these pages:
Meitaki ma’ata
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