Apii Nikao students celebrated Cook Islands Maori Week with a hive of activities before heading into their school break for the end of term two, which begins tomorrow.

Under the theme “Songs of the Cook Islands”, the students gathered at the school hall yesterday to take part in a concert day competition. The students put on a range of performances from pe’e/chant to the string bands.

Apii Nikao also welcomed a delegation from Zhuhai City, China, who are visiting Cook Islands to strengthen their ties with the country.

A prize giving ceremony was held after the concert. The first prize was awarded to Marae 2 – Year 2 students, who also won last year, for their string band performance, followed by Marae 5 in second place for their Imene Tuki performance and Marae 4 received third place prize for their chant.

Marae 1 students presented a variety of Cook Islands chants, Marae 3 and 4 performed the Ute, a traditional melody, and the Early Childhood Centre students displayed an open performance.

The school held normal classes on Monday and Tuesday, focusing on speaking Reo Maori with the afternoons spent on their concert practice as well as traditional sports which will be held today.

Tomorrow, the school will end the week and the second term for the year with a kai Maori.

Apii Nikao classes resume on Tuesday, August 6.