‘Our culture is deeply ingrained within us, and it is our responsibility to hold onto it’

One of the biggest and most vibrant Cook Islands cultural festival in the world – Te Maeva Nui ō Aotearoa New Zealand – thundered to a close at the Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, late last month. This year’s biennial event which had over 1500 performers saw some first timers who shared their experience with senior journalist Melina Etches.

One of the biggest and most vibrant Cook Islands cultural festival in the world – Te Maeva Nui ō Aotearoa New Zealand – thundered to a close at the Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, late last month. This year’s biennial event which had over 1500 performers saw some first timers who shared their experience with senior journalist Melina Etches.