Local produce, handicrafts and hot meals were showcased at the 2024 World Food Day celebration held at Terevete Park in Avarua yesterday.

Te Tango Enua growers’ association president Danny Mataroa and his team were out promoting their ruku/breadfruit chips and flour at the event.

Mataroa said their message to the community was the importance of food security.

Te Tango Enua growers’ association president, Danny Mataroa promoting kuru (breadfruit) flour production. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/24101809

Their organisation is a food security and self-reliance network.

“We promote the breadfruit for food security, dry it into dry chips and then make flour, and from flour you can have so many things,” Mataroa explained.

At the event yesterday, he showed people how the kuru is dried and milled to make flour.

“We need to be aware of what is happening in the world today, especially with the war, we Christians know about what will happen soon, and events before the coming of the Saviour,” Mataroa said.

“If you believe in God, you need to be aware of what is about to happen and food security is a way to prepare ourselves, it is not just about climate change, it is worse than that.”
Mataroa said that if everyone planted breadfruit, maniota/cassava, or kumara trees like their ancestors, food security would not be a concern.

Sare Rasmussen, 33, has been travelling back and forth between Australia and Rarotonga. In the past year, he made a significant decision to settle permanently in Rarotonga and venture into a handmade local jewellery business.

He registered the business under the name Poreho.

Rasmussen gets his shells from Penrhyn for handmade necklaces and earrings and he hopes to promote his special made products to locals and tourists.

He learned the craft from his grandmother/mama at a young age while he was on the island.

“My mama (grandma) when I was small, she would send me to collect shells, make the holes and when she finishes weaving a hat, I make the ei for the hat. I was only small then and I remember the stuff I made,” Rasmussen said.

“I would love to make this a business; I have started small and hope to lease a hut.”

He said it was the first time he sold his craft at the World Food Day event yesterday and it had been great.

Martha Soatini, 64, and husband Temanu Soatini, 73, who are church ministers from Australia, were also part of yesterday’s event.

Martha Soatini and her husband Temanu Soatini at their Heavenly Tihaihai stall. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/24101814

At their Heavenly Tihaihai stall, they sold tivaivai quilts, crafts, shells, and hats skilfully made by Matha.

Martha explained that they have been living in Australia for a long time and have been promoting similar cultural items there.

She said some of the items on sale were from Australia and they hope to share the message on the importance of keeping one’s culture alive especially for the younger generation.

The couple, married for 40 years, are planning to return to Rarotonga.

Henare Tapuvae at his Polyrootz stall. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/24101817

Also at yesterday’s event, 17-year-old Henare Tapuvae was promoting ika mata at his Polyrootz stall. Ika mata is a local dish of raw fish, made with fresh marlin marinated in lemon juice and mixed with fresh vegetables like cucumbers and capsicums, and fresh coconut milk. It was served with banana.

The former Tereora College student said he tried to keep things local and it was his first time promoting a local dish on his own.