“KIA ORANA” to everyone. Last week was the fourth instalment of the Pacific Island Language Week for 2020. We celebrated the lovely beautiful islands of the Cook Islands.

We had a display in the library showing some of the best parts of Rarotonga, the islands, and its people.

The theme for Cook Islands language week is"Kia pūāvai tō tātou Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani i Aotearoa", which in English means, "that the Cook Islands Māori language may blossom throughout New Zealand."

The Cook Island language, also referred to as Cook Islands Maori, is a lovely language to experience. To help you out, we put together a handout which was available from the library. It contains a few phrases that both staff and students could learn, and to add to their vocabulary.

We started with the basics and the first thing you would probably hear when you land in Rarotonga. “Kia Orana” is the greeting used to say “hello” in the Cook Islands and is probably the one you will use most often without a doubt. The literal translation is actually “may you live a long and fulfilling life” which is a wonderful sentiment that typifies the Cook Island culture.

On the last day, as is keeping with our own traditions at OBHS, the students got a picture taken from outside of the tower block. Unfortunately, we had misplaced our Cook Island flag. At the last minute, after a mad dash to town on her break, our wonderful Librarian, Kate, saved the day. From the students and myself I would just like to say a big “meitaki ma’ata” (“Thank you very much”).