NCEA Level 3 Cook Islands Māori cheat sheet

The Cook Islands Māori alphabet has 9 letters: a, e, i, o, u, k, m, n, ng, p, r, t, v; the digraph 'ng' is a single letter and is written with a macron over the 'g' (ŋ) in some orthographies.

Vowel length is phonemic: a macron (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū) marks a long vowel and changes meaning, e.g., 'pā' (wall) vs 'pa' (to slap).

The definite article 'te' is singular; 'ngā' is plural. 'Te' becomes 't-' before proper nouns and some pronouns (e.g., 'Tāne', 'Tēia').

Pronoun system distinguishes inclusive/exclusive: 'tātou' (we, including you) vs 'mātou' (we, excluding you); 'tāua' (we two, inclusive) vs 'māua' (we two, exclusive).

Verb phrases typically begin with a tense/aspect marker: 'ka' (future), 'kua' (perfect), 'e' (present/habitual), 'i' (past), 'te' (progressive).

Negation uses 'kāre' (not) for existence and 'kāre i' for past negation; 'e kore' expresses future negation.

Possessive classifiers 'a' and 'o' distinguish dominant (a) from subordinate (o) possession: 'taku' (my, dominant) vs 'tōku' (my, subordinate).

Word order is predicate-initial (VSO): the verb phrase comes before the subject, e.g., 'Kua kai te tamaiti i te ika' (The child ate the fish).

The Cook Islands comprises 15 islands divided into two groups: the Southern Group (including Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuae, Takutea) and the Northern Group (including Manihiki, Rakahanga, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Nassau, Suwarrow, Palmerston).

Traditional social structure includes 'ariki' (high chief), 'mataiapo' (sub-chief), 'rangatira' (chief), and 'kiato' (commoner); the 'koutu' is the chiefly seat.

The 'koutu' is a sacred meeting ground; the 'marae' is a communal gathering place, and the 'pā' is a walled enclosure.

The 'tīvaevae' is a quilted bedcover made by women, often for weddings and funerals; it is a valued cultural treasure (tāonga).

The 'ei' is a garland worn around the head or neck, made of flowers, shells, or feathers; the 'ei katu' is a head garland.

The 'umu' is an earth oven; traditional food includes 'rukau' (taro leaves), 'kūmara' (sweet potato), 'taro', 'breadfruit', and 'ika' (fish).

The 'pā'ē' is a traditional drum; the 'tini' is a slit drum; the 'putātara' is a conch shell trumpet used to call people.

The 'kapa' is a traditional dance; the 'ūtē' is a chant; the 'peu' are customs and traditions; the 'tāmata' is a person, and 'tangata' is people.

Identify the tense marker in the opening of an utterance to establish time: 'kua' (past/perfect), 'i' (past), 'e' (present), 'ka' (future).

Listen for the inclusive/exclusive distinction in pronouns ('tātou' vs 'mātou') to determine who is included in the audience.

Recognise the negative markers 'kāre' (not) and 'e kore' (will not) to interpret denial or refusal.

Distinguish the possessive classifiers 'a' and 'o' in phrases like 'taku' vs 'tōku' to identify the relationship between possessor and possessed.

Note the use of 'ngā' (plural article) and 'te' (singular article) to track number in discourse.

Identify discourse markers such as 'ā' (and then), 'nō' (because), 'ki' (to), 'i' (in/at) to follow the logical flow of a spoken text.

Recognise the use of 'ē' as a vocative particle when addressing someone, and 'ē' as a negative response.

Listen for the distinction between short and long vowels (e.g., 'pā' vs 'pa') to avoid misinterpreting words.

In a formal speech (tuatua), begin with a greeting that acknowledges the audience: 'Kia orāna' and use 'Te Atua' (God) in traditional openings.

Structure a formal presentation with: greeting, acknowledgement of hosts and ancestors, purpose, body, and closing thanks.

Use the 'ei' (garland) as a visual aid when presenting on cultural topics; it symbolises welcome and respect.

When writing a narrative, use past tense markers 'i' and 'kua' consistently; for future plans, use 'ka'.

Incorporate 'peu' (customs) and 'tāmata' (people) references to show cultural understanding in presentations.

Use the 'kapa' (dance) or 'ūtē' (chant) as a performance element when presenting on cultural themes.

For persuasive writing, use 'nō' (because) to give reasons and 'ā' (and then) to sequence arguments.

In written correspondence, use 'Kia orāna' as a salutation and 'Meitaki' as a closing thanks.