Learn Cook Islands Māori
Learn Cook Islands Māori
Tom Harrison and Junior Charlie

Learn Cook Islands Māori

Language LearningEnglish
Planning a trip to Rarotonga? You could just land, sip a cocktail, and nod politely at the locals while having zero clue what they’re saying. Or you could actually learn some Cook Islands Māori and stop pretending.

Tom and Charlie deliver bite-sized lessons that sneak the language into your head without the boring classroom vibe. From formal phrases that’ll impress the aunties, to casual talk for everyday life, to the kind of slang your grandma would definitely disapprove of!
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Email: info@kukilearning.com
Social: https://linktr.ee/kukilearning
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Lesson 153 - Common kitchen items
30 September 2025

Lesson 153 - Common kitchen items

Bring me the ____? Apai mai te____?Pot/pan = pāni frying pan = varai pāniPlate = merekiCup = kapuFork = kokaiKnife = tipiSpoon = tipunuLid = papaniOven = umuFridge/freezer = pia anuanu/pia akaanuanuMeet the boys from Kuki Learning, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison. Their mission? Keeping the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive (because if they don’t, who will…Google Translate?). Both...
Lesson 152 - 13 Facts about the Cook Islands
29 September 2025

Lesson 152 - 13 Facts about the Cook Islands

Meet the boys from Kuki Learning, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison. Their mission? Keeping the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive (because if they don’t, who will…Google Translate?). Both grew up in sunny Aitutaki, but their family ties stretch across Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. Basically, they’ve got more island connections than Air Raro flight routes.These days,...
Bonus 151.5 - "Know your heritage" with Danny Mataroa
20 September 2025

Bonus 151.5 - "Know your heritage" with Danny Mataroa

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each...
Lesson 151 - Introduction Practice (Very Basic)
16 September 2025

Lesson 151 - Introduction Practice (Very Basic)

Ready to sound like you actually know what you’re saying in Māori? In this episode, we cover the essentials: saying hello without looking awkward, asking “How are you?” (and actually knowing how to reply), introducing yourself like a pro, and even asking where someone’s from without sounding like a stalker. Oh, and we’ll wrap it up with a couple of handy exits: “That’s enough” and “See ya.”I’ll...
Bonus 150.5 - "I'm a warrior of the Cook Islands!" with Teremoana Junior
12 September 2025

Bonus 150.5 - "I'm a warrior of the Cook Islands!" with Teremoana Junior

We speak with Teremoana Teremoana Jnr, a heavyweight boxer fighting out of Australia and representing his Cook Islands heritage.Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and...
Lesson 150 - Common clothing items
09 September 2025

Lesson 150 - Common clothing items

Where's your ____? Tei’ea toou ____?Shirt = ponaT-Shirt = piriaroPants = piripou roaroaShorts = piripouHat = pareJacket/Coat = pereueSocks = totiniShoes = tamakaJoin the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family...
Lesson 149 - Parts of the Body: Inside
02 September 2025

Lesson 149 - Parts of the Body: Inside

Where’s the _____ ? = Tei’ea te _____?Brain = roroLungs = atemāmāHeart = pukuatuBlood = totoBone = iviUrine = mimiFaeces = tutaeEarwax = taringa pataSweat = ‘ouJoin the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family...
Lesson 148 - Parts of the Body: Head
31 August 2025

Lesson 148 - Parts of the Body: Head

Hair = rouru, (rauru)Eye = mataEyes = ngā mataEar = taringaMouth = va’aCheek = paparingaChin = tāngaTeeth = ni’oTongue = areroBeard = uruuru ta’a, (uruuru va’a)Neck = kāki, (karaponga)Nose = putāngio, (puteao)Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both...
Bonus 147.5 - "Our language is being challenged" with Vae Papatua | Cook Islands Language Week 2025
17 August 2025

Bonus 147.5 - "Our language is being challenged" with Vae Papatua | Cook Islands Language Week 2025

Join the team at ⁠Kuki Learning⁠ as they work to keep the Cook Islands Māori language and culture alive; and share it with the world. Your hosts, Charlie Charlie and Tom Harrison, both proudly hail from Aitutaki and share strong family ties to Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Pukapuka. Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they stay closely connected to the islands and frequently return home. Each...
Lesson 147 - Parts of the Body: General
15 August 2025

Lesson 147 - Parts of the Body: General

My (hand) hurts/My (hand) is sore = Mamae toku (rima).Head = katu (Rarotonga dialect)Head = upoko (Aitutaki dialect)Shoulders = pakuiviStomach = kopuBack = mokotua (Rarotonga dialect)Back = tautua (Aitutaki dialect)Arm/Hands = rimafinger nails = mangamanga rimaLegs/feet = vaevae Toe nails = mangamanga vaevaeKnees = turiBum = toe (Rarotonga dialect)Bum = kitikiti (Aitutaki dialect)Join the team at...