Realm Languages

Realm Languages of Aotearoa New Zealand

Across Aotearoa, a large proportion of the people connected to the Realm of New Zealand, including Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands now live in New Zealand. This shift means that these languages are no longer spoken primarily in their home islands, and intergenerational transmission is weakening. According to the Pacific Languages Strategy, Realm languages are disappearing faster than many other Pacific languages in New Zealand, with fewer young people learning them as their first language.

Te Gagana Tokelau (Tokelauan)

Te Gagana Tokelau is the indigenous language of Tokelau, spoken traditionally across three small atolls in the South Pacific. While the language remains central to Tokelauan identity, it is increasingly endangered.

• Around 85% of the Tokelau population now live in New Zealand, outnumbering speakers on the atolls themselves.

• Only 13% of Tokelauan children under 15 in Aotearoa can speak the language, reflecting rapid generational language loss.

• UNESCO classifies Tokelauan as “Severely endangered”, meaning children are no longer learning it as a mother tongue in most homes.

This trend reflects broader social change: migration, dominance of English at home, and limited formal education in the language. Without active revitalisation, Tokelauan risks becoming a language of memory rather than everyday use.

Vagahau Niue (Niuean)

Vagahau Niue — the Niuean language, was once spoken widely across Niue Island and by Niueans who migrated abroad. Today its survival is fragile.

• Between 90–95% of Niuean people live in New Zealand, with significantly larger diaspora communities than on the island itself.

• It is estimated that around 70% of Niuean speakers live in New Zealand, underscoring the shift from home islands to diaspora communities.

• Despite its continued use, language transmission is declining, particularly among younger generations, and UNESCO classifies Niuean as “Definitely endangered”.

This decline is compounded by the dominance of English, limited bilingual education pathways, and shifting family language practices in Aotearoa.

Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani (Cook Islands Māori)

Cook Islands Māori is the indigenous language of the Cook Islands, with close linguistic ties to Māori and other Eastern Polynesian languages. Although still spoken in some communities, its vitality is under pressure.

• There are nearly 8,000 Cook Islands Māori speakers in New Zealand, with over 7,800 reported in the most recent census.

• In the Cook Islands, a majority of the population still use the language, but English predominates in many domains.

• Only 7% of Cook Islands Māori children under 15 in Aotearoa speak the language, showing that intergenerational transmission is at risk.

• UNESCO lists Cook Islands Māori as “Vulnerable”, meaning it may still be passed to some children but is at risk without robust support.

Because more Cook Islanders now live in New Zealand than on the islands themselves, the future of the language depends heavily on revitalisation here.

Why Realm Languages Are Endangered

Several factors contribute to this decline:

• Migration: Most speakers now live in Aotearoa, far from cultural and linguistic heartlands.

• Shift to English: Families increasingly use English at home, especially among younger generations.

• Limited Institutional Support: Bilingual schooling and structured language pathways for these languages remain scarce.

• Smaller Speaker Base: With relatively small populations overall, loss of even a few speakers has a large impact.