"Whenever Cook Islands Māori languages week rolls around, I get a sense of dread. I know that’s probably not what some of you want or expect to hear. But it is my reality." — Tepaeru Minster.

I know tupuna are always with us, but language is the vehicle of cultural transmission. Consequently, language is critical to a person’s health. That’s why we celebrate language weeks throughout the year. And I don’t just mean Pacific languages weeks. There are others too. New Zealand Sign Language Week, New Zealand Chinese Language Week, Hindi Language Week.

  • ᛒᛚᚢᛖᛇᚦᛖᚱ (BlueÆther)A
    5·
    8 days ago

    A sad read: “I’ve been to Cook Islands Māori languages week events where the speaker has said: “You’re not one of us if you can’t speak te reo.””

    What we did in NZ to suppress te reo is a true shame on our government of the time. Unfortunately it seem like there is still that mindset in many people here - including some in our current government.

    Every little thing we can do to support te reo (both for Aotearoa and the Cooks) is good