The organisers of Te Maeva Nui 2024 have clarified the results of the prize giving on Sunday following reports that a specific team had won and been named champions.

According to the Ministry of Cultural Development, the team behind the success of the annual cultural festival, “everyone are winners”.

Responding to newspaper inquiries after it reported Tupapa Maraerenga as champions, Sharna Matapuku, the Ministry’s manager HR, media and communications, clarified that there was no specific winner as the points were graded, a practice consistent with recent years.

“Te Maeva Nui is not a competition as we have found in the past it is important that we acknowledge and reward items and categories what they deserve,” Matapuku stated.

“This is when we introduced the A, B, C, D reward system where we are able to reward more than one deserving winner, and should every team deliver exceptionally, then why can they all not receive the top prize.”

Matapuku explained that “a passionate platinum sponsor took a specific interest into recognising our Taunga Rakei and wanted to acknowledge their hard work designing and crafting the colourful masterpieces we see on stage”.

“This was when we introduced for both Kapa Rima and Ura Pau costume section, a 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and consolation award system. Since then, the creativeness has excelled and has enhanced tremendously the quality of the performances on stage,” she said.

“With that being said – everyone are winners.”

The results for the costume section were announced as the major awards on Sunday. Atiu Enua won the Kapa Rima (action song) costume prize while Tupapa Maraerenga received the Ura Pau (drum dance) costume award. They received $3000 each.

Results

Kapa Rima (Action song) costume: 1^st place ($3000) – Atiu Enua, 2^nd place ($2000) – Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, 3^rd place ($1000) – Oire Nikao. The remaining teams Vaka Puaikura, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapuka Nassau and Te Fuinga o Niva, all received $500 consolation prize each.

Ura Pau (Drum dance) costume: 1^st place ($3000) – Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, 2^nd place ($2000) – Atiu Enua, 3^rd place ($1000) – Vaka Puaikura. The remaining teams Oire Nikao, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapuka Nassau and Te Fuinga o Niva all received $500 consolation prize each.

Imene Pupu – Choir: B = $800 - Mangaia Enua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapukua / Nassau Wenua; A = $1000 - Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Atiu Enua and Oire Tupapa Maraerenga.

Imene Tuki – Traditional Singing: B = $800 - Atiu Enua, Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, Vaka Takitumu; A = $1000 - Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Pukapuka/Nassau Wenua, Te Fuinga O Niva.

Ute: B = $800 - Pukapuka/Nassau Wenua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Atiu Enua; A = $1000 - Oire Nikao, Vaka Puaikura.

Pe’e – Traditional Chant: A = $1000 - Vaka Puaikura, Te Fuinga O Niva, Pukapuka / Nassau Wenua.

Kapa Rima – Action Song: B = $800 - Pukapuka/Nassau Wenua; A = $1000 - Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, Vaka Puaikura, Atiu Enua, Oire Nikao, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Takitumu.

Ura Pau – Drum Dance: B = $800 - Vaka Takitumu, Pukapuka/Nassau Wenua; A = $1000 - Atiu Enua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Oire Tupapa Maraerenga.