A traditional ceremony in Manihiki has established a new Faingahitu Ariki, bringing an end to community disquiet surrounding the prestigious title.

Fred Tangi Napara is the new Faingahitu Ariki of Manihiki or Te Fuinga o Niva.

The investiture ceremony for Te Faingahitu Ariki was held last month on December 21, 2023, at the Faingahitu Fare Ariki Palace on Tauhunu, on the western coast of Manihiki.

With a population of around 200, the historic event saw a remarkable turnout, with roughly 90 per cent of the community attending, according to a resident.

Faingahitu Ariki’s wife Teuira Kamokamo Ngamata, the mayor of Manihiki, and their three children Tekura “Kura” Teinaki Iokopeta, Fred Tangi Jr and Ella, who are residing in Rarotonga and overseas, attended their father’s investiture.

Mataiapo Tutara e te Va’a Tuatua no te Faingahitu Ariki (Ariki spokesman) Toka Tuhe said the investiture was endorsed by “te au kopapa o te Kopu Ariki (all the Ariki family)” and the Manihiki community on the island and overseas.

Tuhe is also the chairman of their 19 Mataiapo and their secretary is Pikitiki Tepano.

In 1986, Papa Tihau Napara was invested as Faingahitu Ariki and retained the title until he died in 1993. The next Ariki was Papa Tihau’s son Napara, followed by Tamarangi Enosa.

Since Faingahitu Ariki Tihau Napara’s death, there has been some discontent until Fred Tangi Napara’s investiture last month, said Tuhe.

Manihiki, a necklace of islands set in the vast blue Pacific and around 1299 kilometres from Rarotonga, is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth.

It is a large atoll of some 60 motu which make up the perimeter with the deep 9km wide lagoon.

The people of Manihiki are divided between the two main islands of Tauhunu and Tukao, which are separated by a 4km deep lagoon. Each island has a school, churches, and stores. There are also a few pickup trucks but boats are the preferred vehicle.

From early childhood Manihikians learn to master boat skills which provide the surety of navigating safely back home even in a low tide amongst coral heads and in the dark.

• Additional reporting from Cook Islands Tourism