Learn Cook Islands Māori

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Junior Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly home. Feel free to send topics you'd like them to teach via email at info@kukilearning.co...

This is my mother Vaine = "Ko toku mama teia ko Vaine".

This is my mother = "Ko toku mama teia".

mother/mum = "mama".

grandmother/grandma = "mama ruau".

alternative way to say mother/mum = "metua vaine", literally means 'female parent'. The name I used in the example is "Vaine", this can be a name and mean 'female'.

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it world...

This is my father Tom = "Ko toku papa teia ko Tom".

This is my father = "Ko toku papa teia".

father/dad = "papa".

grandfather/granddad = "papa ruau".

alternative way to say father/dad = "metua tane", literally means 'male parent'.

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charl...

When is your trip? = "Aea toou tere?"

When is your flight? = "Aea toou pairere?"

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and reg...

When is your wedding? = "Aea toou ra 'akaipoipo?"

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly home. Feel free to send t...

When is your birthday? = "Aea toou ra anau'anga?"

Birthday? = "Ra anau'anga?"

It can also mean 'birth date'.

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now...

'akarongo = listen

'akarongo mai = listen up

me ka tika, 'akarongo = please listen

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly home. Feel free ...

"Akara mai ki’aku, me ka tika" = Look at me/Watch me, please.

"Akara mai ki'aku" = Look at me/Watch me.

"Akara mai" = Look/watch here

"Akara" = Look/Watch.

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the...

"Mako ua koe?" = Are you okay?

"Mako ra koe?" = Are you okay? (alternative)

"Mako?" - Good/okay? (informal)

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now re...

"Tuatua papaa, kare au e marama ana" = Speak English, I don't understand.

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly h...

"Kua marama au" = I do understand/I understand.

"Kare au e marama  ana" = I don't understand.

"marama" = understood (informal)

"kare marama" = not understood (informal)

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collectiv...

‘Akakoromaki mai = (Please bear with/ be patient) 

Tatara’ara atu nei au = (I regret to inform you / I’m apologizing to you)

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aot...

"Ko'ai te pu i konei?" can mean:

• Who's in charge here?
• Who's the boss here?

"Ko'ai te manitia i konei?" is:

• Who's the manager here?

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the ...

Who are your parents? = "Ko'ai to'ou nga metua?"

Who's your mum? = "Ko'ai to'ou mama?"

Who's your dad? = "Ko'ai to'ou papa?"

Key words: 

• mama/metua vaine/mami = mum/mother/mummy
• papa/metua tane/tati = dad/father/daddy

• ko'ai = who

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Ait...

Where's your mum? = "Tei’ea to'ou mama?"

Where's your dad? = "Tei’ea to'ou papa?"

Key words: 

• mama/metua vaine/mami = mum/mother/mummy
• papa/metua tane/tati = dad/father/daddy

• ti'ea = where (informal)
• tiangai = where (Aitutaki dialect)

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Cha...

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly home. Feel free to send topics you'd like them to teach via email at info@kukilearning.com

Web: ⁠...

What do you need? = [Ea'a ta'au ka 'inangaro?]

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. They now reside in Aotearoa New Zealand and regularly fly home. Feel free to send topics you'd like them to ...

run: "oro" | dance: "ura/koni" | eat: "kai kai/kai manga" | drink: "inu vai" | shower: "pai/umoume".

Join the boys from Kuki Learning whose aim is keep the Cook Island's Māori language and culture alive, by sharing it worldwide. Hosted by Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison who both grew up in Aitutaki and have collective ties to the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Puka...

Alphabet: A, E, Ng, I, K, M, N, O, P, R, T, U, V.

Māori pronunciation: A, E, Nga, I, Ke, Mo, Nu, O, Pi, Ro, Ti, U, Vi.

A rough guide for English speakers, listen to how I say it and follow along to pick out the pronunciations: Ahh, Egg, Winger, Idiot, Cake, More, Noose, Oar, Pea, Row, Tea, Foot, V.

It's tough to teach using these words, but hopefully you hear the Māori pronunciations within these English words.

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