Community spirit and literary enthusiasm filled the USP lecture room as a crowd gathered yesterday to celebrate the launch of a new book, Marjorie Crocombe – e va’ine toa, e rangatira, which honours the extraordinary life and contributions of Marjorie Tua’inekore Tere Crocombe (nee Hosking).

Marjorie was a towering figure in Pacific education, creative writing, ethnohistory and publishing, leaving an enduring legacy for the region before her passing in 2022 at the age of 92.

Tata Crocombe, one of Marjorie’s sons, acknowledged the audience and all those involved in the beautiful world class book.

Nari Crocombe and her brother Tata Crocombe at the launch of the new book, Marjorie Crocombe – e va’ine toa, e rangatira, which honours the extraordinary life and contributions of their mother, Marjorie Tua’inekore Tere Crocombe (nee Hosking). MELINA ETCHES/25022505

He said being a Hosking was very important to his mother, as well as her Atiu/Enuamanu heritage.

Together with his father, Professor Ron Crocombe, with whom his mother shared a lifelong mission to advance Pacific studies, Tata said their vision was for Cook Islanders to do their own research, work through their own issues and come up with their own solutions.

“This is a real tribute to Mum… she would be tickled pink… thanks to the authors and the editors,” said Tata.

President, Te Vairanga Kite Pakari (Cook Islands Research Association) Tina Newport welcomed the audience to the Fish Bowl, University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands campus for the event.

Extracts from the book were read by Joan Rolls, Ina Herrmann, and USP Campus Director Debi Futter-Puati.

“Marjorie is the tavake of Enuamanu,” said Ina Herrmann, – the cloak of the tavake embodies supremacy, regality, serenity, beauty – vision, knowledge, and wisdom – purpose.

“Marjorie soared high and deep onto the global world, te moana, nui o kiva but remained rooted in her beloved Cook Islands.”

Herrmann said the chapter Te Tau Nga Nui in the book gives an insight into Marjorie’s connection with Enuamanu.

“Her work there is a testimony of her vision and determination to have people write their own storis and history.

“It is important that the new generation of Atiu keep stirring the embers and reawaken the fires of writing and creativity.

“This book is a testimony of Marjorie’s work. It is a treasure that must be read by all Cook Islanders. Meitaki ranuinui.” Herrmann said.

The Hosking family at the launch of the new book, Marjorie Crocombe – e va’ine toa, e rangatira. 25022506

Debi Futter-Puati said Marjorie was a hugely influential Va’ine toa E Rangatira of the Cook Islands who made an immense impact on generations of Cook Islands writers and scholars and who leaves behind a legacy of scholarly work.

“She was never one to seek the limelight but preferred to be the person behind the scenes, working at the grassroots level to implement change,” said Puati-Futter.

One of the three editors of the book Vaine Wichman said: “I’m honoured to be a part of the editing team of this significant publication, she was very quiet in her strength, a kind woman but the outcome of the book itself and the presence today at the presentation and launching of the book tells a big story about her impact.”

This new volume brings together essays, poetry and reflections, celebrating her decades-long dedication to uplifting Pacific voices. It complements a previous volume Ron Crocombe E Toa!, a tribute to her husband, Professor Ron Crocombe.

The book originated from the 2023 Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) Conference in Rarotonga, where a special session was dedicated to Marjorie’s life and influence. Contributors include early career Pasifika academics as well as her former colleagues and peers. The new volume is edited by Linda Crowl, Rod Dixon and Vaine Wichman.

The book is available for overseas customers at https://www.blurb.com/b/12163927-marjorie-crocombe-e-va-ine-toa-e-rangatira

-      Excerpts from Roderick Dixon