were taken from Cook Islands Maori Dictionary, by Jasper Buse with Raututi Taringa edited by Bruce Biggs and Rangi Moekaa, Auckland, 1995. Possessives Like most other Polynesian languages (Tahitian, New Zealand Māori, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan ...), Cook Islands Māori has two categories of possessives, "a" and "o". Generally, the "a" category is used when the possessor has or had control over the initiation of the possessive relationship. Usually this means that the possessor is superior or dominant to what is owned, or that the possession is considered as alienable. The "o" category is used when the possessor has or had no control over the initiation of the relationship. This usually means that the possessor is subordinate or inferior to what is owned, or that the possession is considered to be inalienable. The following list indicates the types of things in the different categories: a is used in speaking of Movable property, instruments, Food and drink, Husband, wife, children, grandchildren, girlfriend, boyfriend, Animals and pets, (except for horses) People in an inferior position Te puaka a tērā vaine : the pig belonging to that woman; ā Tere tamariki : Tere's children; Kāre ā Tupe mā ika inapō : Tupe and the rest didn't get any fish last night Tāku ; Tāau ; Tāna ; Tā tāua ; Tā māua…. : my, mine ; your, yours ; his, her, hers, our ours… Ko tāku vaine tēia : This is my wife; Ko tāna tāne tērā : That's her husband; Tā kotou apinga : your possession(s); Tā Tare apinga : Tērā possession(s); o is used in speaking of Parts of anything Feelings Buildings and transport (including horses) Clothes Parents or other relatives (not husband, wife, children…) Superiors Te are o Tere : The house belonging to Tere; ō Tere pare : Tere's hat; Kāre ō Tina noo anga e noo ei : Tina hasn't got anywhere to sit; Tōku ; Tōou ; Tōna ; Tō tāua ; Tō māua…: my, mine ; your, yours ; his, her, hers ; our, ours … Ko tōku are tēia : This is my house; I tōku manako, ka tika tāna : In my opinion, he'll be right; Tēia tōku, tērā tōou : This is mine here, that's yours over there Vocabulary Pia : Polynesian arrowroot Kata : laugh at; laughter; kata āviri : ridicule, jeer, mock Tanu : to plant, cultivate land angaanga : work, job