Cook Islands very own marine biologist and environment warrior Dr Teina Rongo marked another milestone achievement on Monday night as he received the Global Moana Climate and Environmental Impact Award at the 2023 Stars of Oceania Award.

Also, world renowned artist and cultural icon Mike Tavioni received the Global Moana Cultural Sustainability, Practice and Leadership Award.

The 2023 Stars of Oceania awards night, held at the National Auditorium, was introduced in 2006 in recognition of those who had values of aloha, respect, harmony, balance, healing and spirituality in stewardship of the great moana (ocean), humanity and natural kin.

Tavioni was recognised as the highly revered recipient of the British Empire Medal for services to the arts considered “Taonga”- a treasured possession. His craft included printing, painting, woodwork, stonework, bone carving and traditional tattooing.

The master canoe carver with influence resonates across the Pacific, stretching from New Zealand to Hawaii.

He nurtures emerging talents through traditional life skills, indigenous knowledge school and art gallery in Rarotonga. His impactful journey was captured in the 2021 documentary “Taonga- an Artist Activist’.

Dr Teina Rongo- the chairperson of the environmental non-government organisation Kōrero o te 'Ōrau in Rarotonga was the first Cook Islander to receive a PhD in Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Dr Rongo on the NGO page shared: “Last night (Monday) marked a milestone in my journey – receiving the Stars of Oceania Global Moana Climate & Environmental Impact Award. As a marine biologist, father, husband, and indigenous advocate, this recognition holds deep significance.

“Many of you are familiar with the work my NGO (Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau) and I do, the years poured in, the energy expended, and the passion ignited for our environment, our nation, and our future stewards. We certainly don't do the work for recognition... we do the work because it needs to be done.”

He said he was humble and dedicated the award to his wife Jackie Rongo who has been the unwavering pillar of strength.

“They say behind every successful man stands a hardworking woman, and those words resonate truth. Countless sleepless nights spent sculpting ideas and refining visions – I wake her up in the middle of the night with an idea, and Jackie would help me weave it into reality.”

He further acknowledged his family, children.