The Cook Islands community is calling for official recognition of its language and more Government support to ensure its survival in New Zealand.
A to revive Cook Islands Maori and promote economic progress for the community of 60,000 has been launched.
The Cook Islands Development Agency says the decline of the language was raised as a major concern during the development of the action plan.
Vice-chair Henry Herman said the trust will ask the Government to pour resources into teaching the language from pre-school to secondary school.
Mr Herman said the trust also wants Cook Islands Maori to be recognised as an official language of New Zealand.
