A sensational performance by the talented Te Mire Ura Senior dancers on Thursday night left the over 1000-strong audience awestruck.

Combining stunning choreography with talent, the senior Te Mire Ura performers delivered a spectacularly high-standard show. Their energy thrilled and ignited the passions of the massive crowd, who erupted in cheers and screams that reverberated throughout Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium).

Tamaiva Mateariki, a champion of champions in cultural performance, has done it again, winning the coveted Te Mire Ura Senior Male Dancer of the Year trophy.

Dedicated and deeply passionate about cultural art, Mateariki blew away the crown with his superb technique and performance.

He won Te Mire Ura Senior Male Dancer of the Year titles in 2020 and 2022.

“I don’t care if I win or lose, I just love my culture and dancing so much and that’s why I do this,” said Mateariki.

Coming in second overall in the men’s division was Kala Turia from Aitutaki followed by third overall winner Rickahn Iro, who represented Mitiaro.

Zoe Hoff, Te Mire Ura 2024 Female Seniors dance champion stunned the crowd with her spectacular performance. MELINA ETCHES/24051018

In the female division, new on the scene Zoe Hoff from Vaka Takitumu stunned the audience with her expertise and love for her culture. This passion shone brightly in her dedicated performances.

Hoff based her slow dance performance on the traditional site of Avatapu. This location held significance for her forefathers, serving as a place of comfort and a ceremonial site to receive those arriving from foreign lands.

Avatapu passage has served as a historic setting for traditional ceremonial arrivals and departures. Cook Islands navigators voyaged between Avatapu and the Pa Enua and additionally, the infamous seven vaka (canoes) of immense size, each measuring about 100 metres long and carrying over 50 men and women, departed Avatapu for the shores of Aotearoa New Zealand.

She dedicated her performance to the traditional site: “May the ancestral stories of Avatapu be heard far and beyond for our future generations.”

Former dance champion Mereana Bishop and her sister assisted Hoff with the choreography, and Ricky Boaza with the help of his sister Shamiah Boaza designed the outstanding costume.

Coming in second overall was Nikola Christian who represented Aitutaki. Christian also made her debut in the annual traditional dance competition.

Maihanarei Short, who placed third overall and won the best costume award, also joined Te Mire Ura event for the first time. A master drummer, she is usually behind the scenes in cultural performances expertly beating drums.

All the dancers delivered solid, high-level performances that filled Cook Islanders near and far with immense pride.

Judges on the night were Pastor Ngarima George, Mona Taio, Makai Savage, Larry Tumai, Ana Savage, Tupa Tupa, and Henrietta Yaqona. They had the difficult task of marking the performances.

Following are Te Mire Ura 2024 Senior Division placings.

Female Division: 1^st Overall Winner Zoe Hoff, 2^nd Nekola Christian, 3^rd Maihanarei Short. Special Awards: Best Slow Beat – Zoe Hoff, Best Fast Beat – Nekola Christian, Costume – Maihanarei Short. Consolation prizes - Nicolea Mateariki and Romehael Rauraa.

Male Division: 1^st Overall Winner Tamaiva Mateariki, 2^nd Kalan Turia, 3^rd Rickahn Iro. Special Awards: Best Slow Beat – Tamaiva Mateariki, Best Fast Beat – Tamaiva Mateariki, Costume – Ngatupuna Kae. Consolation prizes - Daniel Daniel, Terry Akava, Tepa Kelly and Ngatupuna Kae.