Cook Islands Language - Impress the Locals

Speaking Cook Islands Maori – Give It a Go when on Holiday 

Cook Islanders are proud of their culture, language, and identity. Learn a few of these basic greetings, words, and expressions, and they will repay you with a friendly smile and appreciation.

Kia Orana = hello or may you live long

Popongi = good morning

Meitaki = thank you

Ka kite = see you later

Kai = food

Reka = nice

Umukai = a feast

Kia Manuia = good luck

Are = house, building

Aere mai = come here

Aere ra = goodbye

Tane = man

Vaine = woman

Kare = no

Ae = yes

Puakaoa = dog

Puaka = pig

Puakanio = goat

Puakatoro = cow, beef

Moa = chicken 

Maunga = mountain

Moana = ocean

Vai = water

Ira = fish

Vaka = canoe

Manea = beautiful

Mataora = happy

Ngaru = wave

Marama = moon

Ura = dance

Katakata = smile, laugh

Motoka = car

Patikara = bike

Tamariki = children

Apuka = avocado

Nita = papaya

Nu = drinking young coconut

Koka or Meika = banana

Painapa = Pineapple

Rukau = Taro leaves (spinach)

Tai, Rua, Toru, a, rima, ono, itu, varu, iva, tai ngauru = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.

Acknowledge www.rainbowvillas.com for this list of Cook Islands words :-)

Posted by Simon Drewery on October 31, 2023

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