
Reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani
A range of free NZQA-approved courses designed to help you learn Reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani, the language of the Cook Islands.

Explore our Cook Islands Māori Language courses
Select a course from the options below:
Suitable for
This course is right for you if you’re a beginner learner who’s never spoken reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani before, or you have a basic understanding but want to gain confidence in using the language. The course is taught in English so learners do not need to be fluent in reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani. It’s designed to help learners develop their reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani and cultural knowledge, protocols and practices.
Course duration
Taught over 10 weeks, students will join a 2-hour tutor facilitated class per week, and spend at least 1 hour per week doing revision and practice. Courses are a total of 30 hours of learning and practice.
What you need to do the course
This course is taught online. Learners must have access to a digital device (preferably a computer or laptop rather than a smart phone) and a stable internet connection. Minimum hardware requirements are in the FAQs.
Course content
Learners will gain the basic skills and knowledge of reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani at an introduction level, as well as get an introductory understanding of key Cook Islands cultural practices.
Students will learn key information essential in any Cook Islands cultural context to communicate information about your identity:
- your name
- your home
- your family, grandparents and ancestors (your family tree)
- your village links
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to introduce yourself confidently with these key facts.
The course will also cover how to introduce yourself and how to respond to introductions. This course covers simple introductions equivalent to hello, good morning, good afternoon and good evening.
You’ll gain an introduction into the language used at key Cook Islands life events, such as birthdays, weddings and funerals.
Students who complete the course will have developed the knowledge and skills to be able to use greetings, build their vocabulary, converse at a basic level in reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani, and act in a culturally appropriate way as expected in a Cook Islands context.
Fees
Free
Start date | End date | Enrol |
---|---|---|
20 Sep. 2022 | 25 Nov. 2022 | Register Interest |
22 Sep. 2022 | 25 Nov. 2022 | Register Interest |
Entry requirements
Applicants must be NZ Citizens, or permanent residents and be over 16 years of age, or 13 years of age with adult approval and supervision. This can be a parent, guardian or sibling over 16 years of age who will attend the class with any 13-15 year old.
Tutors
Your friendly tutors for this course:


Pacific Language Course Resources
We have a number of resources available to support you on your learning journey
Suitable for
This course is intended for people want to have simple conversations with friends, family and workmates in Reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani.
Course duration
Taught over 10 weeks, students will join a 2-hour tutor facilitated class per week, and spend at least 1 hour per week doing revision and practice. Courses are a total of 30 hours of learning and practice.
What you need to do the course
This course is taught online. Learners must have access to a digital device (preferably a computer or laptop rather than a smart phone) and a stable internet connection. Minimum hardware requirements are in the FAQs.
Course content
In our online reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani classes, students will learn through listening and communicating, with a focus on accuracy and pronunciation. Learners will build knowledge that may include key family roles and increasing knowledge of:
- Honorific terms and language skills
- Your family tree
- Speaking about your relationship to your surroundings
You’ll strengthen knowledge around Cook Islands life-events and customary gift giving to help build your understanding of Cook Islands cultural practices. Conversations will cover directions, places, seasons and enable you to present a simple opinion about a Cook Islands cultural practices.
Learners will use role-play activities, and by the end of the course be able to deliver individual presentations in the form of a speech. People who complete this course will have learned at least 200 simple words used in everyday conversation and have a knowledge of basic punctuation and grammar.
This course is taught in English so you don’t need to be fluent in reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani, but you should have a good understanding of the basics.
Fees
Free
Start date | End date | Enrol |
---|---|---|
22 Sep. 2022 | 25 Nov. 2022 | Register Interest |
Entry requirements
Applicants must be NZ Citizens, or permanent residents and be over 16 years of age; or 13 years of age with adult approval and supervision. This can be a parent, guardian or sibling over 16 years of age who will attend the class with any 13-15 year old.
Tutors
Your friendly tutors for this course:

Pacific Language Course Resources
We have a number of resources available to support you on your learning journey
Suitable for
This course is intended for people who want to further develop and polish their reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani skills, including cultural and historical knowledge. At Level 2, it’s expected that learners will have prior knowledge of reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani already.
Learners will explore and build cultural and historical knowledge while engaging, practicing speaking and listening.
Course duration
Taught over 10 weeks, students will join a 2-hour tutor facilitated class per week, and spend at least 1 hour per week doing revision and practice. Courses are a total of 30 hours of learning and practice.
What you need to do the course
This course is taught online. Learners must have access to a digital device (preferably a computer or laptop rather than a smart phone) and a stable internet connection. Minimum hardware requirements are in the FAQs.
Course content
Students will learn how to communicate key information about:
- Relationships between people in the family and/or community settings
- Communicating life-events using the correct terminology in family situations
- How to understand the importance of cultural behaviours/habits and taboos
- The cultural tools for gift-giving
Students who complete the course will be able to communicate key facts and social norms about the Cook Islands and its leadership, as well as be able to demonstrate indigenous cultural and historical knowledge about the Cook Islands. By the end of the course, learners should know at least 300 simple words which can be used in a conversation with friends and family in the home, workplace, places of worship and community.
Students who complete the course should also be able to demonstrate Cook Islands cultural protocols within a formal setting.
Fees
Free
Start date | End date | Enrol |
---|---|---|
20 Sep. 2022 | 25 Nov. 2022 | Register Interest |
Entry requirements
Applicants must be NZ Citizens, or permanent residents and be over 16 years of age; or 13 years of age with adult approval and supervision. This can be a parent, guardian or sibling over 16 years of age who will attend the class with any 13-15 year old.
Tutors
Your friendly tutors for this course:

Pacific Language Course Resources
We have a number of resources available to support you on your learning journey