Flamboyant personality, passionate advocate for the Cook Islands language, broadcaster, and producer Bernard (Bernice) Tairea, affectionately known as “Poepoe”, was laid to rest in Matavera on Saturday.

A Requiem Mass for the Rest of the Soul of Bernard Tairea was held at the Sacred Heart Parish Catholic Church in Matavera on Saturday morning, led by Father Freddy Kaina and assisted by Bishop Paul Donoghue.

Following the Mass, Tairea was buried beside his late parents, Dr Terepai and Mehau Tairea.

The late Bernard Tairea (left) and the late Ngamata Moeka’a in Aotearoa New Zealand. Picture: GERARDUS VERSPEEK/24010760

Tairea was born on June 19, 1974, in Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. He lived in Matavera, Rarotonga, and in the Pa Enua when his father was the resident doctor on the outer islands.

Aged 49, he passed away on December 24, 2023 in Auckland.

He arrived back home to Rarotonga on Friday, January 5, accompanied by his sister Maria and 22 of his close family and friends.

A celebration of his life service was held that evening at Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium).

Dubbed the “Voice of the Cook Islands”, Tairea’s first broadcasting experience was at age 11, on the popular Teen Scene Radio for Radio Cook Islands.

The Requiem Mass and funeral for the late Bernard Tairea. His sister Maria Tairea (right), and Apii Mateariki (holding flowers) flew in from Aotearoa New Zealand to attend his burial. MELINA ETCHES/24010755

Tairea completed his schooling at Tereora College and gained tertiary education in Fiji, and Australia.

His work experience in Rarotonga was with Telecom (now Vodafone) and The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. He was also a member of the Taakoka Dance Troupe.

In 2002, Tairea moved back to Aotearoa to join his family and spend time with his ailing father.

Soon after he started working for Radio 531PI, and helped establish Niu FM.

Pallbearers escort the casket of Bernard Tairea into church. MELINA ETCHES/24010757

He had a 30-year career in broadcasting and was a host and producer of Pacific Media Networks’ Cook Islands Language Show for many years, advocating for young people to have an interest in Pasifika languages.

He also contributed to the Pasifika Festival – a Pacific Islands-themed festival held annually in Western Springs Reserve, Auckland, New Zealand – for 20 years and was the Cook Islands village coordinator.

Tairea was a sought-after Master of Ceremonies for events, a Justice of the Peace in Aotearoa, and in January 2012, he was appointed Te Marae Ora’s new patient transferal officer in Auckland.

In a 2015 interview with Cook Islands journalist Florence Syme Buchanan, Tairea said “Home where the heart is. I may be living here to help support my family and the community, but the Cook Islands will always be home to me.”

Tairea is survived by his three siblings, Celine, Maria, and Cyprian, who all travelled to Rarotonga to attend his funeral over the weekend.

• Excerpts from “50 Tamariki Kuki Airani” by Florence Syme Buchanan