Cook Islands Language Week opens with focus on youth and schools

Today marks the start of the annual ‘Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week’, which celebrates the Cook Islands language.

The week’s activities, themed “Toku Reo Kūki ‘Āirani, e tango ketaketa ia no toku ora’anga”, began this morning. Activities include today’s oratory competition, Tuesday’s youth debate, and Wednesday’s pe’e and purua (poetry). The week will end with a string band competition for government departments.

“This year our focus is on schools and we will be looking at extending the ‘Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani’ celebrations to the private sector, even next year,” said Raemaki Karati, Poutoko Manava o te Reo Māori/Māori language adviser at Tauranga Vananga Cultural Development.

All events will be facilitated by the Tauranga Vananga at Te Are Karioi Nui (National Hall).

‘Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani starts at 10am for the primary school speech competition.

Representatives from Apii Takitumu, Apii Avarua, Apii Te Uki Ou, Apii Titikaveka, Apii Rutaki, Apii Arorangi and Apii Nikao will attend the event.

Tomorrow, the “Taumaroro’anga na te Mapu/Youth Debate” programme for young people will start at 12 noon.

Four teams of three people each from Mapu Vaka Takitumu, Mapu Vaka Puaikura, Mapu Vaka Te Au O Tonga and Mapu Pa Enua will take part in the debate show.

The country’s youth ambassadors Nicolea Mateariki and Christian Tereora were both at the 13th^day The presentation was scheduled for the Pacific Arts and Culture Festival Youth Symposium in Hawaii earlier this month.