Sounds of strings and song echoed through the Are Karioi Nui as six government department teams battled for the string band champion title, closing off Te 'Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani.

Apii Avarua’s vibrant string band team led by Principal Engia Baxter featured women and just one male singing their hearts out on stage and taking home the top prize.

Although several teams pulled out of the string band event, those participating performed their songs and original compositions enthusiastically.

Following the string band competition emcee George George announced the results of the activities held throughout the week.

Prizes were presented by Raemaki Karati, Poutoko Manava o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Advisor, and Justina Nicholas.

Apii Avarua principal Engia Baxter and teachers show their talent in the string band competition. MELINA ETCHES/ 24070519

Karati urges Cook Islanders to learn, read, write, and speak te reo Māori, and ensure that children are fluent in the language.

Apii Titikaveka is “very proud” of their students Tangiia Tupuna - 1^st in the korero (speech) competition, Amos Rimamotu – 1^st in the pe’e category, and Raelyn Brothers – a consolation prize for representing the college in the 'Epetoma ō te reo Māori.

Te 'Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani activity results are as follows.

Tarere Tatini Korero Apii Tuatai: 1^st – Apii Titikaveka – Tangiia Tupuna, 2^nd Apii Takitumu – Amarah Gribble, 3^rd Apii Avarua Cleveland Tereapii; consolation prizes – Apii Arorangi, Apii Nikao, Apii Te Uki Ou and Apii Rutaki.

Taumaro’anga: 1^st Rangiatea Matavera - Uirangi Bishop, Dr Danny Areai, Papa Terai Williams; 2^nd Mapu Taurekareka O Nikao – Anjima Ruarau, Ben Patia and Kuraiti Rasmussen; 3^rd – Pa Enua – Toka Toka, Kairua Mataio and Danielle Nimeti; consolation Puaikura – Tuaine Manavaroa, Tamaiva Mateariki, Ngatokorua Tupuna.

Pe’e: 1^st Amos Rimamotu, 2^nd Adam Kirikava, 3^rd Derek Doherty, consolation – George Rouru, Ngatoko Rongo. Purua: 1^st Tearii Tuakana, 2^nd Shekinah Tuakana, 3^rd Ngatupuma Teio, consolation – Raelyn Brothers and Tuaine George.

Imene Akateni: 1^st Apii Avarua; 2^nd Tauranga Vananga; 3^rd Te Mana Tauranga Kuki Airani (Airport Authority) - Makea Pauka, Akaiti Purea, Matavaia Taputoa, JeanPaul Teatai, Ngatokorua Tereia, Ngatuaine Rongo, Royal Henry, Nooroa Maui, Ngatokorua Rota, Rahaba Taero; consolation - Te Tango Akatanotano (Ministry of Corrective Services); Te Tango Akarangatira Oraanga (Ministry of Internal Affairs); Te Pae Tanu (Ministry of Agriculture) - Walter Tangata, Piri Ma’ao, Omar Urirau, Tamaiva Mateariki, Janesson Arokapiti, Ngaonorima Topetai, Iriea Tangapiri, Mari Syme, Daphne Wichman-Takairangi, Kuraiti Rasmussen.

Pe’e – Amos Rimamotu

I mua tanga ana

Kua anga iora te Atua

I te rangi, te enua, e te moana

Te vai utunga kore uara te oraanga tangata

Taku Reo, E Tango Ketaketaia No Toku Oraanga

Taku Reo, E Tango Ketaketaia No Toku Oraanga

Kare e korero e te matakeinanga

E tua ngu’ngu, e va’varua

Ko toku reo ia

E manava kau tetea

Ko toku reo ia

E ki’ato poupou kuru

Ko toku reo ia

E ki’ato, ka akau

Ko toku reo ia

Ka aao ki te kaa

Ka taporoporo

Ka utuutu, I taku reo

Kia Piri, Kia Tinai-Mate

Kia mou, e tango ketaketa noku

Kia tinai-mate te ika a te tupuna

No taku oraanga

Kia pukuru o vaevae

Kia mokora o kaki no to tatou reo

E kuriri, mata-uruuru-roroa

E vaevae torea, no te uki o apopo

E titiro te mata ki O Rongo

Kia okotai ngakau, Kia okotai manako, Kia okotai iti tangata

Toku reo, toou reo, to tatou reo

Toku reo, toou reo, to tatou reo

Ripiri ia ki te papa  to tatou ngakau

Tanumia ki te oneone o Avaiki

Te ngai tapu ei

Tuituikaveka umeia te marokura

Tairia te motia

Varoa te kopu

Rerua te upoko

Ina ia matamata

Tuitui kaveka.

Pe’e – Derek Doherty

Manu e lelelele..

E manu lele Ia te awuawu

Ma ngali yeyeu

Waka tiki ki te wulu manu mai yamoa

Tapotu Ia te mawaki tua te mawaki alo

Kalakala Li….

Kalakala La….

E titi kula

E titi melo

E titi oioi malie

E taki tai tangata

Kapu tata, kapu tata

Kapu a i…..Olile

Taku leo, e papa makeke tu ki toku ola’anga) X2

Taku leo, mai oku tupuna kia aku nei

Ko taku leo, naku ma to wenua tangata

Ke Talatala Wale Atu Kia Koe

Ka Kole, Ka Kole, Pupula Wua Mai

To Taku Leo, Auye Loa E Ngalo

Wakamau Ngia, Na Leo A Te Wii Tupuna

Enei Taku Tila

Kaupakaupakau Paka

Te Ulu O Te Kalou

To waoa, mata valevale)

Talinga tai talinga lua

Talinga tawiti kia….Ia

Tu ki mua te vae matua

Wano la kavea to longo

Tai ake totTiti

Tai ake to malo

Tena te kaleva ki tua

Tena te kaleva ki tai

Taku leo, e papa makeke tu ki toku ola’anga)  X2

Taku lakau mai Pukapuka

Anakia!!!...) X3

Ke ola, Ke ola tatou vaia wua atu

Atawai Wolo