The Australian High Commission in Rarotonga celebrated Australia Day with a beach barbeque and the launch of the ‘Stories of Friendship’ exhibition highlighting Cook Islanders’ connections to Australia.

On January 26, Australians at home and abroad came together to mark Australia Day.

“It is the day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history,” said Phoebe Smith, the Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

In Rarotonga, the Australian High Commission was pleased to share the Aussie tradition of a beach barbeque with friends and families at the Social Centre in Nikao.

On Wednesday, the High Commission launched a “Stories of Friendship” exhibition, inviting people to share how their lives had been shaped by experiences living and working in Australia, or as Australians in the Cook Islands.

“We wanted to celebrate the significant contribution of the Cook Islands community to Australia’s multicultural richness,” Smith said.

Cook Islands artisan Mii Upu, also known as “Mrs Q”, first arrived in Australia in 1972 with her dance group. Since then she has lived in Australia for many years travelling back and forth to Rarotonga.

Cook Islands artisan Mii Upu, also known as “Mrs Q”, is honoured to a part of the Australia High Commission ‘Stories of Friendship’ exhibition. MELINA ETCHES/25012902

Upu is proud to have been involved in the exhibition.

“I feel so honoured to be a part of this, this is just beautifully done,” Upu said.

Since Smith arrived in Rarotonga in March 2023, she has “deepened my appreciation of how important it is to ensure that people can maintain a connection to their history, genealogy, culture and tradition – wherever they are”.

So many people have had a story to share with Smith personally in her role here – as alumni of Australian institutions, as athletes who have achieved sporting excellence through training in Australia and as those whose families live in two worlds, with roots in both Australia and the Cook Islands.

According to Smith, a recurrent theme in the exhibition is the sense of making the most of these opportunities, and then giving back to local community.

The title of the exhibition is drawn from Australia and Cook Islands’ formal “Oa Tumanava” partnership agreement which helps guide their engagement between governments, and encapsulates the spirit of friendship and partnership.

Prime Minister Mark Brown, Makea Karika George Ariki, Makea Vakatini Phillip Ariki and New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, were some of the distinguished guests who attended the event.

Smith acknowledged the hard work of their team, in particular policy and research officer Sian Solomon, who joined the Australian High Commission a few months ago and has driven this project forward.

The “Stories of Friendship” exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 2pm today and tomorrow at the Australian High Commission’s second temporary office at Mana Court in town (next to Western Union).