15 Rarotongan Words You Need to Know When Visiting the Cook Islands

Greeting you even as you enter the airport terminal in Rarotonga, Kia Orana is often travellers first encounter with the native language in the Cook Islands. Kia Orana is used to say "hello" in the Cook Islands but it actually means "May you live a long and fulfilling life".

How Do You Reply to Kia Orana?

People usually reply to Kia Orana just the same, "Kia Orana!"

Another greeting you can use is Popongi or Popongi Manea, which means "Good morning". It's not too difficult to remember and locals will appreciate it. Remember that the "ng" is a soft sound - don't pronounce the "g" too hard.

Find out more about pronouncing letters in Cook Islands Māori in What is the Rarotonga & Cook Islands Language?

Cook Islanders are very accommodating so there are probably going to be a few occasions when you'll want to show your gratitude by saying thank you (that's if your momma taught you right)!

Meitaki means "thank you" or take it a step further by saying meitaki ma'ata, which means "thank you very much" in Rarotongan.

Thank You Very Much in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu

• Meitaki Ma'ata (Rarotonga)
• Meitaki Atupaka (Aitutaki)
• Meitaki Ranuinui (Atiu)

On the subject of politeness, if you want to say "please" at the end of your question, say 'ine.

These two simple notions are important to be able to express no matter where you are in the world, so when you're in the Cook Islands, note that ae means "yes" and kare means "no".

A common and relaxed way to say goodbye in the Cook Islands is Ka kite, which means "See you later". New Zealanders will likely be familiar with a similar phrase in New Zealand Maori.

The more formal way of saying goodbye, which is still commonly used, is 'Arere Ra! This is the phrase used to say goodbye to the person who is leaving. The person who is staying would say E no'o rā!

Everyone's got to eat, right? So this one is an important one! Kai means "food" in Rarotongan, which New Zealanders will also be familiar with. A similar word you will hear is umukai, which means "feast" and usually refers to food slow-cooked in an underground oven.

Check out where to find the best kai in the islands by using The Food Guide to the Cook Islands.

This is one that Cook Islanders use a lot. Kia Manuia means "Good luck" and is often said to travellers heading out for some of the Cook Islands more adventurous activities - not that you'll need any luck, the Cook Islands tours and experiences are all safe as long as you're sensible. Check out some of those experiences in the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands.

... 'A, Rima, Ono, 'Itu, Varu, Iva, Ta'i-nga'uru! Now you know how to count from one to ten in Cook Islands Māori!

The word "nice" can be used in all sorts of situations, so if you want to use a common upbeat word in Rarotongan, say reka!

Islands are kind of a big deal in the Cook Islands, so you will often hear Cook Islanders saying "motu" when pointing to this island or that island. When Cook Islanders are talking about motu on Rarotonga, they are usually referring to the four islands just off the coast of Muri: Taakoka, Koromiri, Oneroa and Motutapu.

Drinking from a refreshing coconut is a staple of the Cook Islands, so if you want to ask for a young coconut that you can drink from, ask for a nu. For more drink recommendations, check out the 10 Drinks in the Cook Islands You Have to Try.

An integral part of Cook Islander culture, the ariki is the high chief. While traditionally the high chief was a ruler and the first-born son from a royal line, today ariki are more of a figurehead who serve to advise the elected government in the Cook Islands' modern democratic system. Get more into politics in Who Owns the Cook Islands? The Political Status of the Cook Islands.

If you're visiting the Cook Islands during the festive season, get your Christmas greetings at the ready by learning to say Meri Kiritimiti!

Learn more about visiting Rarotonga and the Cooks at this time of year by checking out our guide, How to Spend Christmas in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.