After four years of running a hugely popular ura fitness class out of Avatiu Club House with her ‘Queens’, the CC Tamure Fitness ladies have come full circle, entering the online fitness world to take Cook Islands dance, language and culture, global again.

CC Tamure Fitness was born out of the Covid-19 lockdown, a way for founder Moana Taio to keep shaking her hips while stuck indoors.

The accomplished dancer and entrepreneur amassed a huge following online as she shared her sweat sessions live to the world.

Taio says she’s been trying to transition the business online since 2022, but finally finding the right web developer in Esther Tetava of House of Sky Ltd to bring the vision to life. 

Integrating an online payment system has been a hurdle but now customers overseas and, in the Cooks, can pay with ease and access Tamure classes at anytime, anywhere. 

Tamure is offering a one-class pass for $49.99 and a four-week fitness challenge including three pre-recorded videos per week, access to their exclusive challenge group chat, one on one support and nutritional advice, for $100. 

The website, www.tamurefitness.com went live three days ago, and has already gained customers in 10 countries including Japan and the US. 

“It’s helped us to really reach out to people around the world who are interested in knowing a bit more about our culture,” says Taio. 

CC Tamure Fitness has a following of 43,000 on Facebook, leading the way in fitness online in the Cook Islands: “All of these people want to travel here for classes.”

Despite their online success Taio says that web search results are dominated by ori Tahiti, but Tamure is going to help get Cook Islands dance, culture, and language out on the world stage. 

“The unique thing about Tamure is we are starting to incorporate the language into our workout sessions.” The team instructs in te reo Māori and provides subtitle translations for their online “Queens”. 

“People around the world will start speaking Māori through what they learn on the website.”

As Dancer of the Year Champion 2017, Te Maevanui and Dancer of the Year judge, and Miss Earth Cook Islands 2017, Taio and her accomplished team are dedicated to Cook Islands culture, working day jobs and doing Tamure “for the love of it”. 

Taio took out the top spot, winning the 2023 Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards (PCA) for her work with CC Tamure Fitness. 

Uirangi Bishop, Maria Ngatikao, Viliama George, Paige Taio, and Mary Taio work alongside Moana three times a week. 

Expanding the business will help Taio to reinvest into the Tamure community, and give back to the instructors. 

“I’m hoping that the online space is going to give us more freedom. I was able to save for a long time and take the instructors to Aitutaki for a retreat, but hopefully we can do more of these trips all over the world together.” 

She says Tamure is an hour for “Queens” to let down their hair and destress while working on health and fitness.

“It’s really fast paced but no one is there to judge you. Just go at your own pace, have fun. 

“Tamure not only focuses on your weight loss. There’s the mental health aspect. There’s stress, there’s kids. People are able to come and clear their minds.”

Business owners and CEOs, women who haven’t danced since they were kids, 60+ mamas, and “Queens” of all sizes can be found enjoying Tamure Fitness in Rarotonga, and soon, in living rooms worldwide.

“It’s exciting. I know it’s going to blow up. I’m glad that I stuck to what I envisioned years ago.”