Transcript
There are three distinct languages in the Cook Islands and several and several dialects.
While the population of the Cook Islands is less than 14,000 there are about 62,000 people who identify themselves as Cook Islanders in New Zealand.
But many in New Zealand are not able to speak any of the languages and there are fears the languages could become extinct.
The celebration at Whitireia included a flag raising ceremony, a 'hot hula' demonstration and the serving of traditional chop suey, rice and donuts.
Jean Mitaera who is the Social Work leader at Whitireia and is also on the committee for Cook Islands language week, says it's an uphill battle to get Cook Islanders in New Zealand to speak the language.
"Most grow up without the reo, I think that's an old colonial thing that English is the language of education and the language of employment. [In the] 60s, 70s and 80s we though 'English, in the 90s we realised people weren't speaking their language anymore."
While she was born in Wellington, she says she was raise to speak Cook Islands Maori, because it was spoken as the first language at home and at her church.
"Having Maori speaking house parents who spoke it as their first language, that's the language of our house and being very church-orientated. So you will find that many Cook Islands who grew up with the church - especially the protestant churches - so their first language of the church will be whatever is the mother tongue of the people who go there. That's a place to learn and train language."
Dr Mitaera says that a home-based approach for learning the languages of the Cook Islands, is the best approach for getting families to speak the reo.
"I think the best strategy is a home-based strategy so families understand the importance of it firstly and secondly activities at home to support that to help layer and build vocab. So you build up the vocab around every day activities as opposed to going to a classroom to learn the language. I think one of the things in New Zealand -born [Cook Islanders] is that you either pass the test or you don't where as if you're at home we're all learning together with children, adults and it's a more relaxed activity."
Pastor Teremoana Tauira Maka was at Whitireia watching his daughters take part in the hula demonstration.
He says he was born in the Cook Islands, but was sent to New Zealand on a mission back in 1992 and has been here ever since.
He says there is a yearning from Cook Islanders here to learn about their culture.
"Over here we are deprived of authentic what I say is Cook Island culture... you are away from the islands you are away from your culture, you are deprived of land, you're away from historical landmarks, and we are trying to replicate that.. I found, made the Cook Islanders in New Zealand more hungry for their language and more hungry for their culture because back at home it's stronger over there, but when you're away from it, or isolated from it, you yearn for it. The stories, the language, the culture, the dancing."
He says some young Cook Islanders in New Zealand have found it hard to connect with their heritage.
"We had a debate I got involved with on Facebook, where a lot of people were saying if you don't speak te reo you are not a Cook Islanders, you know. But I Meade it clear on that forum, that even if you don't speak the reo, as long as blood is flowing through you - Cook Island blood, you're a Cook Islander. Even if it's quarter blood, full blood, half blood, the one thing they cannot take away is your blood. They can take away your reo, they can take away your culture, but they can't take away your blood. So that's the message I'm pushing across here in New Zealand. If you can't speak the reo that's fine, as long as you're proud of it, identify with it connect with it, as long as you know blood is Cook Island, you're a Cook Islander. Totally, regardless.
"Nobody can take that away from you."
Jean-Marie Akavi is a 19-year-old student and was helping serve traditional dishes of chop suey, donuts and rice during celebrations at Whitireia.
He was born in New Zealand, and while he didn't grow up speaking Cook Islands Maori, he is keen to learn it.
"I would really love to learn the culture, learn the language, so it could make it easier for our generation to talk to our own elders and have a normal conversation. It'd be nice learn our culture so we will be able to share it with the young ones, like the new generation."
