Lesson 160 - Pe'e (Chant) "Turou Oro Mai"
From Learn Cook Islands Māori by Tom Harrison and Junior Charlie
April 7, 2026 · 3 min · Season 15 · Episode 10
About this episode
The episode focuses on a traditional Cook Islands chant and the hosts' mission to preserve the Cook Islands Māori language and culture.
From the book: Pe'e Māori Traditional Cook Islands Chants Author: Jon Tikivanotau Michael Jonassen Segment: 5.1.1. TUROU ORO MAI [Pe'e] Tūrou, Oro māi. Taka'i mai ki runga i teia paepae. Piki mai ki runga i teia toka mou. Te marae tapu o te matakeinanga. 'I konei tatou 'akatakapātoa ei. 'Iri'iri korero ei. Tākave ei. Iō-kokou. PRAISES WELCOME [Chant] Praises. Welcome. Step on this ground. Climb on this solid rock. Sacred ground of the tribe. Here we will exchange words, embrace and share our love. Almighty God bless us. Celebrate. 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…
People in this episode
Hosts: Tom Harrison, Junior Charlie
Topics covered
- Cook Islands Māori
- language learning
- cultural preservation
- traditional chants
- education
Keywords
- Cook Islands Māori
- traditional chants
- language learning
- cultural preservation
- Aitutaki
- Aotearoa New Zealand
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke, Pukapuka, Aotearoa New Zealand
More episodes of Learn Cook Islands Māori
- Lesson 159 - Would you like to eat some (food)? · April 3, 2026 · 9 min
- Bonus 158.5 - I'm overthinking this intro! · April 3, 2026 · 3 min
- Lesson 158 - Would you like to drink? · February 25, 2026 · 5 min
- Lesson 157 - Would you like to eat? · February 18, 2026 · 4 min
- Lesson 156 - Would you like to go/walk? · February 10, 2026 · 7 min
- Lesson 155 - I live/stay in (place). · February 5, 2026 · 7 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Learn Cook Islands Māori podcast page.