The traditional slow steam cooking event not only retains nutrients and enhances taste, it brings together family, friends and the community, nurturing a sense of belonging and celebration while preparing and sharing a meal of soul food.

College students in Rarotonga were delighted to participate in the first Takurua Ta’u Umu competition to celebrate this year’s 60^th anniversary of self-governance.

Students, judges, teachers and guests praised the delicious, smoky and tenderised meat, rukau and kinaki - kuru, pumpkin and taro, topped with freshly squeezed coconut cream during the competition held on Friday.

Five Māori class teams– four from Tereora College, and one from Titikaveka College – participated in the event that was hosted by Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Culture Development.  

Titikaveka College’s Pupu Maniota team was instructed by culture teacher Vae Unuka, who was “absolutely pleased” with the efforts put in by his students.

Unuka said most of the girls were busy that week before the event, attending the Samsung robotics programme.

However, the boys were keen and helpful, preparing the food for the umu. They collected banana leaves and au leaves to cover the food, prepared the rukau, cut up the pumpkin and grated coconuts.

“Most of the girls didn’t know how to ‘kou the kai’ (wrap food in leaves and tied securely) ready to place in the umu,” said Unuka, “so some found this challenging.”

Unuka instructed the students on how to place the food, specifying both the order and arrangement on the hot stones. He also explained the layering of banana and taro leaves, and how to tightly cover the top with sacks to retain heat and ensure the food cooked properly.

The Pupu Maniota team members were proud of their umu. One of the students said “we really enjoyed making our own umu and I’d like to practice more about this way of healthy cooking.”

The Tereora College Pupu Mario team led by culture teacher Lotiola Mateariki won first placing in the Rore, Kana Akari, Imene Kinura and Moina Tai categories in the Takurua Secondary School Umu and Culture Festival. MELINA ETCHES/25022157

Tauranga Vananga Te Papa Turanga Manava Māori (director national cultural identity), Ngatuaine Maui said they are looking forward to hosting the Ta’u Umu and Cultural Festival competition annually.

Maui said the umu competition was judged on how the food was wrapped and arranged in the umu, but most of all, on the taste – “at the end of the day, it comes down to taste”.

Judges for the event were: Ministry of Agriculture - Cecelia Tou-Ariki, Ministry of Education – Mariana Mataio, Jane Kora, Reverand Panu Rouru and Tumu Korero from Atiu - Vaine Veiao.

One of the Takurua Ta’u Umu judges, Tumu Korero from Atiu - Vaine Veiao shares his weaving tips with a Tereora College student. MELINA ETCHES/25022131

This event was funded and sponsored by Tauranga Vananga, working with partners Cook Islands Tourism, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, and the schools.

Schools competed in: Imene Kinura (string band), Rangaranga (weaving), Rore (stilts), Amo Taonga (food carrying race), Ta’u Umu (steam cooking with rocks), Ko Akari (husking coconuts), and Moina Tai (making coconut cream).

The 2025 Takurua Ta’u Umu Secondary Schools Cultural Festival results are as follows: Rangaranga – Titikaveka College Pupu Maniota; Moina Tai – Tereora College Pupu Mario; Rore – Tereora College Pupu Mario; Amo Taonga – Titikaveka College Pupu Maniota; Imene Kinura – Tereora College Pupu Mario; Ta’u Umu – Tereora College Pupu Kuru; Ko Akari Titikaveka College Pupu Maniota.