Also Known As:
Māori, Kuki Airani, Te Reo Māori o te Pae Tonga o te Kuki Airani
Dialects & Varieties
- Mangaia [mang1042]
- Ma'uke [mauk1238]
- Rarotonga [raro1242]
- Miti'aro [miti1242]
- Aitutaki [aitu1237]
Language Contexts: Te Reo Maori o te Pae Tonga o te Kuki Airani also known as Southern Cook Islands Maori
Language Contexts: Te Reo Maori o te Pae Tonga o te Kuki Airani also known as Southern Cook Islands Maori
Endangered
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
15,000-20,200
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends
Speaker Number Trend 4
Less than half of the community speaks the language, and speaker numbers are decreasing at an accelerated pace.
4
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 2
Used in some non-official domains along with other languages, and remains the primary language used in the home for many community members.
2
Transmission
Transmission 2
Most adults in the community are speakers, but children generally are not.
2
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
84200
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
Advanced shift to English. Many older people also speak New Zealand Māori, Tahitian, and other regional indigenous languages due to having attended school away from the Southern Cook Islands. There is a lack of qualified Cook Islands Māori grade-school instructors in the diaspora, though some community courses are offered. The language is still prevalent in the performing arts.
Location and Context
Countries
Cook Islands including Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, 'Atiu, Ma'uke, and Miti'aro
Location Description
No results found.
Government Support
official language alongside English
Institutional Support
Ipukarea Society of Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Speakers' Attitude
Rarotangan is often considered the high variety among the dialects. Despite a loss of speakers, the language is considered by many to be an important part of their identity. Older people express disappointment that few younger people speak the language, while younger people feel discouraged by their elders when trying to learn.
Other Languages Used By The Community
English, New Zealand Māori
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
19th century orthography developed by the London Missionary Society
Other writing systems used:
21st century revised orthography by the Bible Society of the South Pacific
Comments on writing systems:
While English literacy is high, it is common to have functional or low literacy in Cook Islands Māori. Though most written material is liturgical, there is a broad representation across other genres as well as bilingual dictionaries and grammars. The unclear orthography impedes motivation to read aloud.
Recent Resources
A YouTube playlist of videos pertaining to Cook Islands Māori.
This is a bilingual dictionary with the meanings of each headword given in English.
Te Vairanga Tuatua o te Te Reo Māori o te Pae Tonga: Collection of language examples in Cook Islands