It’s Cook Islands Māori Language Week
To celebrate and support New Zealand’s Pacific Language Weeks campaign, AUT’s Office of Pacific Advancement, (OPA) works alongside students to elevate their personal experiences of Pacific culture, practices and language; taonga to be protected and sustained. The taonga are often ancient and deeply significant from a cultural, spiritual and social perspective.
For Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani2026, AUT’s Master of Science (Research) in Geospatial Science student, Georgia-Rae Jones, shares how her research is a taonga that deeply connects her to her Cook Island heritage, and her people on the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Georgia-Rae’s research is focused on the significant site of Avana Harbour and passage located on the eastern side of Rarotonga. A place for historical voyaging waka, this ‘ava’, (opening in the reef), is a highly valued coastal area supporting fishing, recreation, local livelihoods, healthy ecosystems and tourism however, those living in the area are today experiencing the effects of climate change.
The aim of Georgia-Rae’s research is to assess historical changes in Avana's shoreline to improve people’s understanding of how and why the coast has changed over time. Her findings will support informed decision-making and contribute to more effective coastal management and adaptation strategies for Avana.
She says, “With my research being my taonga, I see it as part of my duty to my people to use my skills and knowledge to be of value and service. In my work, I get to talk to people in the area which makes me feel very connected to them. There is a level of understanding between us because we care about the same thing.
“In terms of my language journey, when my grandparents came to New Zealand a long time ago, they made a conscious decision not to teach their 10 children Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, Cook Islands Māori, so they were deprived of the reo. My language journey is for me but also for my parents and my family to come.
“For me it’s also very important and a goal of mine to be able to communicate my research to elders, including my Cook Island Nana. When I speak to kaumatua here in Aotearoa they tell me Māori Kūki ‘Āirani is closest to Aotearoa’s traditional te reo Māori that was adapted. It’s very cool to have those insights from both sides. It’s a privilege.
“For other Cook Islanders trying to connect with their language, I’d say whether it’s a big or small step, just keep making that conscious effort every day to connect with your reo, culture and identity. For me that means calling my Nana, going to a community event and wearing my brightly coloured clothing and ei katu (flower headdress). Whether it’s learning new phrases or speaking to your elders, small things really do help you feel grounded and connected. My background spanning the Cook Islands and Aotearoa has definitely helped me on my reo journey. Also, the values of both places are very similar.
“I feel beautiful and empowered as a Cook Island va'ine when I wear my ei katu because without saying anything, I’m expressing where I come from, I’m proud to have that heritage and those connections.”
The 2026 theme for Cook Islands Māori Language Week is “Me kite koe i te tuatua i to’ou reo tupuna, e turanga rangatira tena nō’ou no te uki amuri atu" - With our language as our foundation, we will embrace the future.
Greetings and other resources for Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airanilanguage week, including email signatures and printable posters, are available on the website of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
AUT’s 2026 AUT Pacific language video series as they are launched, watch on the AUT Pacific YouTube channel.