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!
Book your seat (or just subscribe, it’s cheaper):
Email: info@kukilearning.com
Social: https://linktr.ee/kukilearning
Are you okay? = Te mako nei koe?
Other ways to say: Te mako uara koe?
Informal: mako? = okay? good?
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, they’re based in Aotearoa New Zealand, where they juggle real life with their side hustle of teaching language, culture, and the occasional life lesson nobody asked for. Don’t worry, they still fly back home regularly (mostly for island food, family, and a break from NZ winters).
Their goal? Share the language and culture worldwide in a way that’s fun, easy, and sometimes slightly unhinged. So if you’ve ever wanted to learn Cook Islands Māori without sitting in a boring classroom, you’re in the right place.
Got a topic? Flick an email to info@kukilearning.com
Bonus points if it’s weirder than the last request.
Web: https://kukilearning.com/
Social: https://linktr.ee/kukilearning
Language lessons:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kukilearning/subscribe
21 Aug 2026
Lesson 163 - Would you like some medicine?
Would you like some medicine? = Ka inangaro koe i te vairakau?
Medicine = vairakau
Clothes = kakau
Fruits = ua rakau
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, they’re based in Aotearoa New Zealand, where they juggle real life with their side hustle of teaching language, culture, and the occasional life lesson nobody asked for. Don’t worry, they still fly back home regularly (mostly for island food, family, and a break from NZ winters).
Their goal? Share the language and culture worldwide in a way that’s fun, easy, and sometimes slightly unhinged. So if you’ve ever wanted to learn Cook Islands Māori without sitting in a boring classroom, you’re in the right place.
Got a topic? Flick an email to info@kukilearning.com
Bonus points if it’s weirder than the last request.
Web: https://kukilearning.com/
Social: https://linktr.ee/kukilearning
Language lessons:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kukilearning/subscribe
15 Aug 2026
Lesson 162 - Would you like to drink water?
Would you like to drink water? = Ka inangaro koe i te inu vai?
water = vai
coconut water = nu
alcohol = kava
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, they’re based in Aotearoa New Zealand, where they juggle real life with their side hustle of teaching language, culture, and the occasional life lesson nobody asked for. Don’t worry, they still fly back home regularly (mostly for island food, family, and a break from NZ winters).
Their goal? Share the language and culture worldwide in a way that’s fun, easy, and sometimes slightly unhinged. So if you’ve ever wanted to learn Cook Islands Māori without sitting in a boring classroom, you’re in the right place.
Got a topic? Flick an email to info@kukilearning.com
Bonus points if it’s weirder than the last request.
Web: https://kukilearning.com/
Social: https://linktr.ee/kukilearning
Language lessons:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kukilearning/subscribe
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
576,341
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
121 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 73 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
83
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
71
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