Welcome to the online dictionary of the language of the Penrhyn atoll, or Tongareva. This online dictionary is aimed at providing quick access for learners and speakers of the language of Penrhynese. Tongareva (Penrhyn) is the northernmost island of the Cook Islands. Penrhynese is an Eastern Polynesian language that is closely related to the languages of the other islands of the Cook Islands and to Tahitian and Tuamotuan. It also has many similarities with the indigenous languages of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Hawai‘i and the Marquesas.
This is a bilingual dictionary with the meanings of each headword given in English. It can be searched for both English and Penrhynese words.
Penrhyn's original name is Tongareva. Tongareva is located at 1,365 km (848 mi) north-north-east of Rarotonga, 9 degree south of the equator. It is composed of a ring of coral 77 km (48 mi) around. The lagoon covers 233 square kilometres (90 mile²) of which 62 square kilometres (24 mile²) is covered with pearlshell.
Tongareva has two villages. The main village of Omoko, seat of Penrhyn Island Council, is on Moananui Islet, on the western rim of the atoll, north of the airport. The village of Te Tautua is on Pokerere Islet, on the eastern rim.
