Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki) three-day annual general meeting which also includes the attendance of the Ariki vaatuatua or kauono (speakers), is underway at Parliament House.

Tupuna Rakanui, Te-O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk) said overall the topics of discussions are about looking at the status of the Are Ariki and the welfare of the Ui Ariki.

He said: “We are trying to articulate a way forward which we have been looking at for quite a while.”

Te Are Ariki is provided financial resources annually through a Parliament administered payment appropriation officially managed by Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture).

Rakanui said Te Are Ariki have noted the views of Minister Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa who is urging the Ui Ariki to start looking for funding and exploring opportunities outside, “that will assist our expectations for the future rather than depending on handouts from government,” Rakanui added.

Yesterday, the discussions focused on the ‘Capacity Assessment Report (April 2023)’ that has been undertaken by the  Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPC).

Te Are Ariki is formally managed by the Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture) who have requested via the (OPC) that a capacity assessment be conducted to explore the capability of the House of Ariki in fulfilling its legal mandate.

This assessment focused on four areas of investigation: The relevance of the Are Ariki, its functions, focus and operations.

The report has identified that the Are Ariki is very much relevant in the current and potential future context of the Cook Islands, principally in the role that it can play as Government principal partner in areas concerning the customs and traditions, as well as the revival and preservation of te akono’anga Māori.

The review hopes to contribute to Tauranga Vananga’s effort to support Te Are Ariki to develop stronger partnerships with its key stakeholders, and to strengthen Te Are Ariki to understand its core functions, roles and responsibilities.

Rakanui said presentations were expected to be delivered by OPC and Tauranga Vananga, “and right now the report is before Parliament.”