PĀNUI
NEWS
A Brief History of the Moriori Language
20/11/2025
This week we acknowledge the first-ever Moriori Language Week, a time to honour the unique identity of the people of Rēkohu (Chatham Island) and Rangihaute (Pitt Island). Over the years, He Waka Tapu has been privileged to build and maintain relationships with whānau and organisations across the Chathams. As we continue to learn from our partners on the island, we also recognise the resilience, history, and revival of rē Moriori, the language of the Moriori people.
Rē Moriori traces its origins to early Eastern Polynesian voyagers who settled Rēkohu. Later waka arrived from mainland Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu, merging with ngā uri o Rongomaiwhenua, a founding ancestor of Moriori. For over six centuries of isolation, Moriori developed a distinct culture and language shaped by the landscape of Rēkohu, its winds, quiet interior, and rich bird and marine life. While rē Moriori shares much vocabulary with te reo Māori (around 70% according to some sources), its grammar, pronunciation, and structure remain clearly distinct.
The 1835 invasion of Rēkohu by Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Mutunga was devastating. Moriori suffered enormous loss, and their use of rē Moriori declined sharply under colonial pressures. Despite this, knowledge holders like Hirawanu Tapu preserved the language through written records, petitions, and oral kōrero. Their work is now foundational to revitalisation efforts.
In recent decades, especially since the opening of Kōpinga Marae in 2005, Moriori whānau and researchers have worked steadily to restore rē Moriori through community teaching, archival research, apps, and new learning resources.
"He Waka Tapu stands with Moriori imi as they continue to strengthen and share rē Moriori, a language of peace, resilience, and identity"
The modern resurgence of Moriori identity, including the opening of Kōpinga Marae in 2005, has reignited the commitment to bringing the language back into everyday life. Moriori whānau and researchers continue to restore rē Moriori through community teaching, archival work, and new learning resources. Rē Moriori is no longer spoken of as a language lost, but as a language being reclaimed, lived, and passed on to new generations.
Moriori identity is deeply rooted in the covenant of peace established by Nunuku Whenua, a principle reflected in rē Moriori. The language carries notions of balance, respect, and life, a testament to a people who chose nonviolence and continue to stand for justice and aroha today.
He Waka Tapu acknowledges and supports the strength and determination of Moriori descendants. As we celebrate Moriori Language Week, we honour the ongoing revival of rē Moriori, a language of memory, peace, and hope.
Moriori Kupu/Phrases.
Re Moriori - Moriori language
Rēkohu - Chatham Island
Rangihaute - Pitt Island
Karāpuna - Ancestors
Miheke - Treasured cultural objects / taonga
Hokopapa - Whakapapa / genealogy
Imi - Tribe / people
Mauri rongomaiwhenua - Peaceful essence/spirit
Aka pou - Support posts (used metaphorically for foundations or values)
Tchakat henu - Indigenous people of the land
Tē rongo - Peace
Momori - Carved tree engravings specific to Moriori tradition
Nunuku’s Law / Nunuku Whenua - Ancient Moriori covenant of peace
