Launch of Cook Islands Language Week in New Zealand

New Zealand Minister of Peoples Pacific says Cook Islands Language Week can play an important role in protecting the future of Reo Maori Kuki Airani

Week of the Tongue
Photo: Twitter

The theme of this year's celebrations, which began today, is "Be proud of your language and protect its future." ".

Aupito William Sio said that it was a very relevant theme for the people of the Cook Islands, the use of the language is declining and its future is under threat.

Cook Islands Maori are currently classified by UNESCO as a vulnerable language.

This means that while most children speak the language, Aupito says that the Cook Islands are part of New Zealand's linguistic heritage and that it is preserved.

He says that about 62,000 people were identified as Cook Islanders at the last census of New Zealand. "The latest census also indicates that the use of the language has dropped from 17.8% to 13.1% among those who identify as the inhabitants of Cook Island and it is the largest in the country. is a trend I want to see reversed, "he said.