The Cook Islands community across Wellington and Porirua has wrapped up a week of cultural pride, marking both Te ’Epetoma o te Reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani (Cook Islands Language Week) and the 60th anniversary of the nation’s constitution.
Language Week, which ran from 2–9 August, began in Porirua with the Central Pacific Collective raising the Cook Islands flag. Flag bearers Carmella John-Tauira and Mama Kitiona Tauira led the ceremony, with Pastor Teremona Tauira opening the morning with a devotion. This year’s theme, ‘Ātui’tui’ia au ki te raurau a tōku mātakeinanga (Connect me to the offerings of my people), celebrated the role of language in sustaining cultural identity and community bonds.
On Saturday 2 August, the Cook Islands NZ Society in Newtown hosted a special event to mark 60 years since the adoption of the Cook Islands Constitution. The celebration at the Cook Islands Society Hall brought together families and friends for a vibrant day of music, dance, and traditional food, honouring both heritage and the journey of self-governance since 1965.
Organisers from both events thanked the community for their strong turnout, ongoing pride, and commitment to passing on language and traditions to future generations.
