The annual ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani: Cook Islands Language Week 2017 is being held from Sunday 30 July to Saturday 5 August 2017- check out what events are going on near you to celebrate!
The first Cook Islands Language Week was delivered in 2012 in a bid to support community efforts to encourage the preservation and retention of the Cook Islands language by Cook Islanders living in New Zealand.
It was delivered by the Ministry for Pacific People, in partnership with the Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand (CIDANZ) and the Human Rights Commission (HRC).
Since then engagement in Cook Islands Language Week has grown.
The week is now celebrated across New Zealand through schools, tertiary institutions, workplaces and communities.
The theme for Te ‘Epetoma o te Reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani: Cook Islands Language Week 2017 is:
`Ei rāvenga nāku i te tuatua i tōku reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani ka anoano au i te turuturu ā tōku ngutu`are tangata `ē te matakeinanga
An encouraging home and community environment is what I need to build my love and my confidence to speak my reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani
Here are some events you can head along to in order to celebrate and learn a bit more about the Cook Islands language and culture!
Auckland Libraries are holding multiple events
Central
Glen Innes: Know your community
Monday 31 July, 10am - 12 noon
The history of the Cook Islands community in Glen Innes, presented by June Tangiia. All welcome!
East
Botany: Cook Islands Storytime
Monday 31 July, 10.30am - 11am
Bring along your little ones for our special Storytime. A chance for kids to learn basic Cook Islands words.
South
Mangere Town Centre: Special Wriggle and Rhyme
Monday 31 August, 10.30am - 11am
Kia Orana! Join us with your little ones for a fun-filled movement session to the beat of the Cook Islands.
West
Waitakere Central :Strut your Pareu
Wednesday, 2 August, 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Strut your Pareu! As we learn several different ways to tie a Cook Islands sarong and walk the catwalk.
There are plenty more, find an event near you
What’s on at the Auckland Museum
Celebrate the language and culture of Cooks Islands at Auckland Museum for Cook Islands Language Week 2017. A case of taonga (treasures) from the Cook Islands will be on display in the Atrium throughout the week, showcasing traditional tautai (fishing) objects.
On Tuesday 1 August, visitors can explore behind the scenes of our Pacific Collection Access Project, a three year Museum project to catalogue and photograph the Pacific collections. Admire and learn about more Cooks Islands taonga in these exclusive tours.
From 10am-2pm, limited spaces available, please email bafitu@aucklandmuseum.com to book.
For more information go to the Auckland Museum website
Te Oro in Glen Innes
Saturday 5 August, Te Oro in Glen Innes will come alive with the sounds, language, stories, colour and beauty of Cook Islands culture.
Join artists, practitioners, musicians and traditional healers come together under one roof in Te Oro in Glen Innes to share their knowledge and celebrate Pacific language and culture.
From 10am – 2pm at Te Oro Music and Arts Centre 98 Line Rd, Glen Innes.
For more information visit the Te Oro site
28/07/17
