Renowned Cook Islands composer Thomas Peyroux proved his talent in writing original compositions, just about sweeping the Tauranga Vananga Edgewater Resort 2024 Te Mire Atu composers’ competition on Wednesday night.

Peyroux chose to write about Katikatia, the feared and notorious legendary woman witch who lived in a cave, luring in children with her beautiful hair and voice, picking lice from their hair until they slept, and then eating them.

Shunned and cast out by her people, Katikatia ended up living in a cave.

Peyroux’s composition offered a perspective on who she might have been.

He was motivated to write about Katikatia from a different viewpoint while living in Aotearoa New Zealand and seeing the loathsome child abuse cases on the news.

Composer Junior Ruarau (3rd left) placed 3rd overall in Te Mire Atu 2024. His wife Anjima Ruarau sang his composition ‘Te Pae Tae Nui’ accompanied by Junior himself and his brother Paniani Puiki. He is pictured with Te Mire Atu sponsors: Pare Kaveao - Vodafone Islands, Melissa Gosselin, general manager for The Edgewater Resort & Spa, and Jane Wichman-Poa, Tauranga Vananga. MELINA ETCHES/24032870

“I was feeling sorry for babies that were being violated in Aotearoa,” said Peyroux.

“Then I thought of Katikatia and how we just hate this woman so much but we don’t even know why.

“So, I thought, what if I try to explain something about her when she was young, since I know all babies are born pure, they are not born evil … it’s just the environment that they are surrounded in and some become violated by people they trust and everything else.”

Peyroux visualised Katikatia as a momoke (albino) baby girl who struggled with the heartlessness and nastiness from people being cruel to her and ostracising her because of her white skin.

Kairua Mataio placed 2nd in TeMire Atu 2024. He sang his composition ‘Ka Hoki Tatou’. MELINA ETCHES/24032840 or 2839

“And that was it, that was the beginning of her dreadful life,” he said.

“She gets hunted and gets cornered and she sits down and thinks what have I have and then sings this song ‘Ko Au ko Katikatia’.”

Peyroux said people should not judge others since they don’t know what the person is experiencing in their lives as well as consider that there are times when people are simply misunderstood.

Te Mire Atu drew a large crowd to The Edgewater Resort to witness solid performances by the singers/composers.

The results of the 2024 Te Mire Atu are: Overall Winner – Thomas Peyroux, 2^nd Placing – Kairua Mataio and 3^rd Placing – Junior Ruarau

Sarah Fredrick Tereva sang her composition ‘E Ramepa’ backed up by her brother. MELINA ETCHES/24032842

Original Compositions in Order of Appearance: Pastor Kapao Kapao - Faith, Alive, Dream Centre; Pastor Ngarima George - Punanga Nui Market; Kairua Mataio - Rakahanga Henua; Sarah Frederick Tereva - Nukuroa Enua; Corina Mose - Araura Enua; Junior Ruarau – Pukapuka/Nassau; Lawrencia Williams - Manihiki Henua; Lotiola Mateariki – Akatokamanāva; Thomas Peyroux – Rarotonga; Saro Rasmussen – Tongareva.

Following are the top three compositions that were released on the night:

Thomas Peyroux – ‘Ko Au Ko Katikatia’

Akamarama’anga i te imene

E tua teia no runga i teia Parataito i roto nei i te Pacifika, e tua mei ito mai , taito mei te au etu rai i runga i te rangi teitei. E tua teia kua rongo ana te maata’anga ia tatou no runga i tetai vaine tei kapikiia e ko Katikatia e tei akataa ia ki uta i te o ko Takareu, e tana i rave i te ta i te au tamariki i roto i tona matakeinanga.

Te taki mamao atu nei au i te manako no runga i teia tua, tei irinaki au e tupuanga manakokoreia, akamata na roto i tetai  pepe  e moe ra ki roto i te koukou’anga rima inangaro o tona metua vaine, koropiniia e te vaerua inangaro e te aroa o tona kopu tangata e tona matakeinanga. Ko te akamata ua anga ra oki teia i te mea e ko te au mea tei tupu i muri mai e mea akaroa te reira tei akari mai i te mamae e te kino  tei tupu ki te oraanga o teia pepe ko Katikatia.

Thomas Peyroux (left), the overall winner of Te Mire Atu 2024, also took home the ‘Best Lyrics’ trophy presented by Taupini Ama. MELINA ETCHES/24032858

Kua riro te turanga ekoeko, te vareae e te akaapa’anga taukore i roto i tona matakeinanga i te akatupu i te irinaki’anga taravake, topa atu ei te akaapa’anga ki runga ia Katikatia i tona tuatau e tamariki ara rai aia. Akaapa’ia ia aia no te au turanga kino tei iri atu ki runga i te matakeinanga, riro atura aia i te apai i te ara a te katoatoa. Kua takinokino’ia, kua taia, kua taumaa’ia e kua akataa’ia e tona uaorai kopu tangata.

I teia nei kua riro mai aia ei aronga mamaata, te oki nei aia i te akamaara i ta tona uaorai matakeinanga e tona uaorai kopu tangata i rave ki aia. Te riro nei te apainga  ta ratou i akairi ki runga iaai, te apai’anga i ta ratou ara  e te kino ei mamae oonu ki aia, iaai e ori aere uara na runga i te au tuaivi o Takareu. Kua oki tona manako ki te tamariki o tona matakeinanga mate ekoko o tona ngakau i rave ei aia i tana i irinaki e ko te mea meitaki kia tupu kia ratou e kia kore ratou e na roto i te mamae e te kino tei tupu ki aia.

Te akari mai nei te tua o Katikatia i to tatou turanga akakoromaki me topa tatou ki roto i te kino ma to tatou irinaki’anga e ko te kino e te mamae ta tatou ka na roto i roto i to tatou ora’anga e openga tona, e ka motu te reira a tetai tuatau. Ko te turanga teia e na roto nei a Katikatia i roto i teia imene e kia riro e koia te paruru auraka te kino kia tupu ki te au tamariki e kia kore ratou e na roto i te kino tei tupu ki aia.

In the heart of a remote South Pacific Island lies a tale as ancient as the stars above. It begins with the innocence of a newborn, cradled in the arms of a loving mother, surrounded by the whispers of hopeful villagers. But fate weaves a cruel tapestry, and young Katikatia's life takes a dark turn.

Raised in a village where whispers turn to accusations and innocence is shattered by betrayal, Katikatia's childhood is marred by repeated violence, violation and torment. Blamed for misfortunes beyond her control, she is cast out by those she once called family.

Now, as a woman haunted by the ghosts of her past, Katikatia grapples with the weight of her village's condemnation. Cursed and lost, she wanders the rugged landscape, her heart heavy with remorse and a burning question: what will become of the children who follow in her footsteps?

‘Ko Au Ko Katikatia’ tells a story of resilience in the face of darkness, and the enduring hope that one day, the cycle of pain and suffering will be broken. But for Katikatia, the choice remains: to stand as a guardian for the next generation, or to spare them the agony she knows all too well.

Ko Au Ko Katikatia - Irava 1 (Verse 1)

E mamae taku e mou nei mei Muatangana mai

Kua ati taku ngakau, toku Vaerua, te Manava

I rotopu i toku inangaro, te mii, te vee, te tangi

E mamae’anga no taku pukuatu

Bridge

Kua kapu au taku vai mata, e vai mata te eke nei

Aue me maara ake au, te mamae

Te kino tei tupu, kare e rauka iaku i te akakoromaki

Aue me maara ake au te mamae

Chorus

Ko au ko Katikatia, te vaine kutukutua (koi kutu) no Takareu

Taumaa ia au e, akakino ia au e, akaapa’ia au e, eaa taku ara

Ko au ko Katikatia te vaine kutukutua no Takareu

Taumaa ia au e, akakino ia au e, akaapa’ia au e, eaa taku ara

E vaine…

E tona tupu’anga

Kairua Mataio – Ka Hoki Tatou

Tatarahanga

Ko taku himene, kua atu au i te reira no runga i te rikamoe tei na roto mai i toku Tupuna Vahine, e pera katoa no runga i to tatou tumu tapura nui i roto i teia matahiti. I roto i te rikamoe tei tae ki toku mama, kua kite aia iaia uaorai i te tuanga ki te tua hopuanga ra o te henua koia a Rakahanga, kia titiro tona mata ki piriarangi, kua kite aia i tetai henua rahirahi uatu tona manea, kareka kia huri tona mata ki muri ki tona henua, e one tea ua mei te itinga ki te hopunga mei apatonga ki apatokerau. 

Kua tauta tona ngakau i te tatara i tana moe, kore i rauka vave ana iaia i te tatara i tana moe. Kareka ra kia tae aia ki te henua koia a Ao Te Aroa (New Zealand) i roto i tona nohonohoanga i reira, kua rauka iaia i te tatara i tana moe e  teia tana hurianga. 

Ko te henua fou tei hakari ia mai kiaia i roto i te rikamoe, ko Ao Te Aroa. (New Zealand) te reira,  ko te aiteanga i tona henua tei hakari ia mai kiaia e one tea ua, teia ana vananga, a teia au uki ki mua ka pau rauara i te rereva ki te henua tei hakari ia mai i te hopuanga ra, ka hakari ia mai Rakahanga kare e tangata toe i runga i te henua. I roto i teia ra te kite nei toku ngakau kua tika tana hurianga i tana moe, kua hiaua te tangata e toe maira i Rakahanga, tei raro ake te tare tangata i te hanere.

Kua tata au i taku himene i roto i teia po, no te mea te noho nei au i te henua nei ma te maharahara I toku henua fanau. himene, no te mea te I tetai taime e rongo ana toku ngakau i te reo o toku henua, te kapiki ua maira i tana fanau tamariki. No reira i roto i taku himene te kapiki nei au ki te au Rakahanga kia tu ki runga, ka hoki matou ki to matou kainga manea, ta Te Atua i akakorona no matou, te mihi maira, te tiaki maira, to tatou au tauranga ia tatou mei po mai, tei akonoia e to tatou au Tupuna ei tapaeanga marino no tatou ki to tatou Ipukarea, te tiaki maira kia tapae atu na te henua  

Ei tahopenga—Kia hua kia tata kia maharahara i te tahuatanga ka moe ai te hipo kino. 

Ka Hoki Tatou

Irava 1                                                     

Rikamoe tei tupu 

No runga i taku henua tupuna

Na roto mai taku mama 

Tei huri ia ki te pakari o tona karape 

Irava 2

Te tu maira i te piriarangi 

Henua manea Henua fou 

Kia huri tona mata ki muri 

Taku kainga  aue---aue 

 Chorus

Taku hititangata 

E tu ka hoki tatou ki to tatou ipukarea 

Rakahanga Henua 

Kainga manea no taku hititangata 

Kainga manea na te Atua i tuku mai 

Irava 3

Avanui ki te kinonga 

Tauranga matakleinanga mei po mai 

Te kapiki maira ia tatou aue---aue  

Chorus

Junior Ruarau - Te Pae Tai Nui

Talapayanga i te lau lima matawiti o Te Pae Tai Nui

Akaepaepa anga i te rima ngauru anga mataiti o Te Pae Tai Nui - 50th Celebration of the Edgewater Resort

E toru tuanga o taku imene.

 I te akamata anga o taku imene ka akarongo kotou i te tangi o te aatu anga ngaru e te tangitangi anga o te au manu ei akaari mai kia tatou, e kena teia kua kokoti ia ei Tauranga no te Edgewater i te pae tikai i te tai. Te reira te reva ou, te ngai e marino ei toou tino, te uka tai ei tamaru i toou roiroi. No reira taku imene kua akaaite au i teia ngai ko te Edgewater mei te pepe tei anauia i te ra 22 no Tepetema mataiti 1974. I teia ra te akaepaepa nei au i tona ra anauanga kua tae te reira ki te 50 i teia mataiti 2024. Kua utuutu ia teia pepe e te aronga angaanga tuketuke, kua moe tetai au papaki ki te moe anga roa, te ora nei rai tetai au tangata, tei tavini ana e tei roiroi kia tiratira tu teia pepe ko te Edgewater. Kua riro i te akaora mai I ta tatou au peu Māori, e kua rako a tangata i teianei. 

 Eaa te puapinga o teia otera ko te Edgewater - Te Pae Tai Nui? E maata te puapinga o teia ngai ko te Edgewater. Te riro nei aia i te tauturu i te oraanga o to tatou iti tangata Kuki Airani e pera katoa tetai au iti tangata no tetai au enua ke mai. Tena ta tatou e kite nei i teia ra, te au angaanga mamaata a te au tipatimani e rave iana ki konei, te akaipoipo, te ra anauanga, te au peu Kuki Airani, te umu kai e te vai atura tana au tauturu e kitea iana ki teianei ao. Ko te au aronga angaanga te kokoti nei ratou i te Meitaki o teia pepe, mei te akaitianga moni (discount) ki runga i tetai au angaanga ta ratou ka inangaro i te rave i konei e tetai au tauturu takake ta Te Pae Tai Nui e tauturu ana. Kua riro katoa ei ngutuare, ngai tamaru i toou manako e toou kopapa (relaxation), ngai akatupu i te inangaro e te vai atura tetai au mea puapinga ta teia otera e akatupu ana.

 Akaepaepa anga I te Atua no te akatae anga i teia otera ki te 50 anga mataiti. E mea tau kia akameitaki tatou I te Atua mana katoatoa, koia tei tauturu ma te oronga I te maroiroi te kite e te pakari ki te au tangata angaanga o teia otera, mei te au arataki e tae ua atu ki te aronga paraku tita. I teia nei e mea tau kia maeva tatou ite rekareka ,kua taena te 50 anga mataiti o Te Pae Tai Nui, ma toku  irinaki e, kua akakakeia te moni a te aronga angaanga i teia rima ngauru anga mataiti. 

 Kua atu au i taku imene no teia po ki roto i toku reo Tupuna koia te reo Pukapuka ei akaari i toku rekareka e toku mataora e kua riro te rima ngauru anga mataiti o teia otera e ko Melissa Gosselin te rangatira maata. E tamaine kua kapua ia mai no runga i toku oneone ko Pukapuka. Akakoromaki mai me kare koe e marama, tena a Melissa Gosslin ei akamarama atu kia kotou katoatoa. 

Te Pae Tae Nui

Intro: (x2)Tangitangi o te ngaru e te pu Edgewater… (echo – Te Pae Tai Nui)

O Rarotonga 

Edgewater…  (echo – Te Pae Tai Nui) O Rarotonga 

Taku akararangi anga i toou rima ngauru, anga mataiti e te Edgewater – Te Pae Tai Nui, ei akamata i taku imene.

 Wowou ngia koe      

Te matawiti tayi iva witu wa   

 E yionga koe     

Opo manuiri      

E yula no te Kuki Airani  

E pepe ou kua anauia i te mataiti 1974 

Kua akonokono ia, e kua tupu ruperupe

Kua riro toou manea ei ngutuare akaruru no te au manuiri e pera te iti tangata 

E ngai rongonui i roto nei i te Kuki Airani

Lomamai  - tangi pu   

Na tau te yakiki ma te yakaka  

Tu ki mua te vae matua   

Tutuki to Longo e   

Ki nga pole e wa o te ao nei

Te tangi o te pu ei tuorooro ia tatou ki Te Pae Tai Nui

Ka riro toou  manea e toou puapinga ei tuatua  anga na te au tangata tei tamarumaru ia e koe 

E rongo teia kua pararau are ki to te ao nei

Ko wai na wakanau   

Ke Matua Ya   

Nona lelei    

Ki te kakai yanga   

Na taute ngia te wale palenga nei

Mai te vaia, oko wua mai ki te ayo nei

E tau kia akametaki ia to tatou Atu no te kite  te marama, te maroiroi tana i oronga ki te aronga angaanga tei utuutu i teia ngai, mei temataiti i akamataia ei, e tae ua mai ki teia ra. 

Ke talapaya ngia te Matua

Ya… i te potu liliku 

Na wakaoko ngia koe

 Ki to lau lima matawiti 

Ayo veveia   

E toku mouli

E te Pae Tai… Nui e…   

E Maeva i te Atu i runga I te rangi teitei  Kua tae koe ki toou rima ngauru anga mataiti Ra Mataora, Ra Rekareka,  Kia koe e taku otera numero tai Te Pae Tai Nui

Kaupakaupaka (echo – Akalulu)

Ka Maeva tatou e te Kuki Airani  Ka Maeva te au Manuiri, Ka Maeva tatou katoatoa no te rima ngauru anga mataiti o Te Pae Tai Nui.

Kaupakaupaka (echo – Manuili)   

Kaupakaupaka (echo – To manea)   

E te Pae Tai Nui

Edgewater… Te Pae Tai Nui…

Key word translation.

Wowou – started, born; tayi – one;  witu – seven; wa – four; matawiti – year; yionga – place, home; opo – together, union; yula – best, top, greatest;  lomamai – welcome; na tau – landed; yakiki – perfect; yakaka – important; wai – give thanks, acknowledgement; wakanau – celebrate, rejoice; Matua Ya – Heavenly father; lelei – good, fabulous; kakai – people, individuals; yanga – work, labor, effort; taute – keep, look after; walepalenga – accommodation; vaia – past, ancient; ayo – day; talapaya – celebrate, rejoice; potu liliku – heaven; wakaoko – reached; lau lima – fifty; veveia – happy, joyful; mouli – favorite, preferred; kaupakaupaka – over joyed.

Taku akararangi anga I toou rima ngauru, anga mataiti e te Edgewater – Te Pae Tai Nui, ei akamata i taku imene.