Learn Cook Islands Māori

Meet the boys from Kuki Learning, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison. Their mission? Keeping the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive (because if they don’t, who will…Google Translate?). Both grew up in sunny Aitutaki, but their family ties stretch across Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. Basically, they’ve got more island connections than Air Raro flight routes.

These days, they’re based in Aotearoa New Zealand...

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each episode is designed to teach you the basic...

Ready to sound like you actually know what you’re saying in Māori? In this episode, we cover the essentials: saying hello without looking awkward, asking “How are you?” (and actually knowing how to reply), introducing yourself like a pro, and even asking where someone’s from without sounding like a stalker. Oh, and we’ll wrap it up with a couple of handy exits: “That’s enough” and “See ya.”

I’ll say each phrase nice and slow, le...

We speak with Teremoana Teremoana Jnr, a heavyweight boxer fighting out of Australia and representing his Cook Islands heritage.

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New...

Where's your ____? Tei’ea toou ____?

Shirt = pona

T-Shirt = piriaro

Pants = piripou roaroa

Shorts = piripou

Hat = pare

Jacket/Coat = pereue

Socks = totini

Shoes = tamaka

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke...

Where’s the _____ ? = Tei’ea te _____?

Brain = roro

Lungs = atemāmā

Heart = pukuatu

Blood = toto

Bone = ivi

Urine = mimi

Faeces = tutae

Earwax = taringa pata

Sweat = ‘ou

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and...

Hair = rouru, (rauru)

Eye = mata

Eyes = ngā mata

Ear = taringa

Mouth = va’a

Cheek = paparinga

Chin = tānga

Teeth = ni’o

Tongue = arero

Beard = uruuru ta’a, (uruuru va’a)

Neck = kāki, (karaponga)

Nose = putāngio, (puteao)

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share ...

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each episode is designed to teach you the basic...

My (hand) hurts/My (hand) is sore = Mamae toku (rima).

Head = katu (Rarotonga dialect)

Head = upoko (Aitutaki dialect)

Shoulders = pakuivi

Stomach = kopu

Back = mokotua (Rarotonga dialect)

Back = tautua (Aitutaki dialect)

Arm/Hands = rima

finger nails = mangamanga rima

Legs/feet  = vaevae  

Toe nails = mangamanga vaevae

Knees = turi

Bum = toe (Rarotonga dialect)

Bum = kitikiti (Aitutaki dialect)

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work ...

Mamae toku (____) = My (____) is sore

Mamae toku (____) = My (____) hurts

Mamae = sore, pain, painful, hurt

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay clo...

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each episode is designed to teach you the basic...

I am hot = Kua vera au/E vera toku 

Vera = hot

Anu = cold

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently r...

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each episode is designed to teach you the basic...

I am cold = Kua anu au/E anu toku 

Anu = cold

Vera = hot

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently re...

Online source:

Kare ratou e pakari, mei a ratou e vai nei, e pakari atu ra.

Kare e tuatua e akaroi ia ratou, kare katoa te mataiti, e akaapa ia ratou.

Mei te ra e opu atu ra i te aiai, e te itianga mai o te ra i te popongi.

E akamaara tatou ia ratou.

English Version:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

...

Kua maki au = I am sick/ill

E maki toku = I have an illness

Maki = sick, ill, sickness, illness, goofy/silly

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they sta...

Go away = Aere atu! = Ere atu!

Get lost = Tangaro iatu koe!

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequentl...

Interpreted by Tom Harrison

Kare ratou e pakari, mei a tatou rai te ka pakari.

Kare te mataiti e ‘akamauiui ia ratou, e kare katoa e ‘aka’apa.

I te iti’anga ra o te ra e i te popongi.

Ka ‘akama’ara ua rae tatou, ia ratou.

English Version

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠...

Come home = Aere mai ki te kainga

Return home = Oki mai ki te kainga

Home = kainga/ngutuare

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka.

Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connect...