In celebration of Cook Islands compositions, new and experienced song writers are encouraged to register for the Mire Atu composer’s competition in March.

The Ministry of Cultural Development will host the event, and the 2022 theme for all cultural activities is “Te au Vairakau Tupuna o toku Matakeinanga/Enua” or the “Traditional Medicine of my Community/Island” which will also be applied to the Mire Atu.

Culture’s events and auditorium manager Robert Ioaba says the style and taste of each composition must coincide with the main theme and the use of our old Cook Islands Maori words and phrases.

“The lyrics of the song must be Cook Islands Māori, ei au tuatua Māori Kuki ’Airani anake to te ’imene.”

Only one song will be permitted per composer and can be performed by the composer or by a singer of the composer’s choice; and only one singer is to lead the song that can be performed with a pre-recorded backing track on a CD or a flash drive. A live band and backing vocals will be permitted.

The competition will be judged on the lyrics, the composition and connection to the theme, originality of tune and the musical arrangement, standard and clarity, and “the judge’s decision is final”.

Organisers of the event reserves the right to disallow or ban anyone from participating in the competition for failure to abide by the rules of the competition.

Cook Islanders aged 17 years and over are welcome to join the competition.

Entry forms must be submitted to the Ministry of Cultural by 4pm on Friday, March 4, 2022. There will be a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 composers competing in this event.