What language do the Cook Islanders speak?

Rarotongan
Pukapukan languageEnglish
Cook Islands/Official languages

There are three distinct languages in the Cook Islands. These are: Cook Island Māori, Pukapuka – which is a Western Polynesian language belonging to the same language family as the languages of Sāmoa, Tuvalu, and Tokelau, and the language of Palmerston Island, which is a mix of Cook Island Māori and English.

What language do native Tahitians speak?

French
French is the official language of The Islands of Tahiti. Tahitian is mostly spoken by islanders in their homes while French is commonly used in schools and business but once you visit the islands, English is well spoken in restaurants, resorts and other tourist areas. It is considered the third language as well.

Are Maori and Cook Island the same?

Cook Islands Māori is an Eastern Polynesian language that is the official language of the Cook Islands. Cook Islands Māori is closely related to New Zealand Māori, but is a distinct language in its own right….

Cook Islands Māori
Region	Polynesia

Do all Polynesians speak the same language?

There are 38 Polynesian languages, representing 7 percent of the 522 Oceanic languages, and 3 percent of the Austronesian family. The most prominent Polynesian languages, in number of speakers, are Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, Māori and Hawaiian.

How do you say hello in Cook Islands language?

“Kia Orana” = Hello (Key-ah-o-raah-nah) We start with the basics and the first thing you’ll 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’ll use most often without a doubt.

What language do locals speak in Bora Bora?

The main languages in Bora Bora are French and Tahitian, but you’ll find that many people also speak English, especially resort employees. French Polynesians move at a relaxed pace.

Why do Tahitians speak French?

All Tahitians are French citizens and many of the islands’ people, especially in Tahiti’s capital of Pape’ete, were born in France. French is the official language and the local currency is the French Pacific Franc.

Are Cook Islanders indigenous?

Cook Islanders are indigenous Polynesians. Numbering just 17,000, more than half of the Cook Islander population now live on the main island of Rarotonga, and most other islands have declining populations.