On the island of Ma’uke, a local farmer is cultivating ginger with unwavering dedication and seeing the sweet reward of his labour.

Archie “Piki” Taripo, driven by hard work, discipline, and a deep passion for sustainable agriculture, thrives on his flourishing ginger harvests after years of careful farming practices.

He has harnessed the fertile soil and favourable climate of Mauke to produce high-quality ginger.

Taripo and his wife, Joan Taripo (née Tua), operate as a well-oiled team, their hilarious banter adding a touch of joy to their blossoming family business.

For several years, the couple has successfully exported ginger to Prime Foods on Rarotonga, and more recently, to Rarotonga Brewery for their new ginger beer offerings.

While Taripo focuses on nurturing their crops, Joan takes charge of marketing, orders, deliveries, and the all-important bookkeeping.

Taripo’s ginger farming journey began roughly six years ago with a 20-litre bucket gifted by the then-Konitara (Mayor).

“When I started, I had to have a plan and I needed a market to buy my ginger,” he said.

Archie “Piki” and Joan Taripo (pictured) export their Ma’uke ginger to Rarotonga. MELINA ETCHES/24010411

He initially partnered with Papa Lucky Vainetutai, but their venture faced temporary setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Ruti matau i te tuatau o te Covid (We lost out during Covid),” Taripo reflects. However, he kept on tending to his plants ensuring they were getting the necessary nutrients to keep it growing.

After years of carefully tending to his ginger plants Taripo is pleased to have over a quarter acre of ginger.

“It’s hard work, harvesting is hard work too. We soak the ginger then scrub the dirt off by hand.”

He said they had tried water blasting the ginger to clean it and save on time but that didn’t work.

“We were using up a lot of water and the ginger wasn’t as clean,” he added.

Born in May 1970 aboard a boat in Pukapuka, Taripo spent his early years in Rarotonga. At the age of 11, the youngest in his family, his parents’ separation led him to Ma’uke, where he has remained ever since.

His mother never sent him to school, and he has no regrets about his lack of formal education.

“I never went to school, but I can write my name in Māori,” he said.

“Since I was a kid, I was planting and I can tell the type of soil by the colour of it. I know all about planting.”

The Taripos are a thriving family unit, blessed with five children: Joahnie Rosalie (girl) and four boys: Henry Punarii, Denis Poura Tefana, Varua e tini o Maire Archie Pickering, and Joseph Temata. Two grandchildren, Sofia Poura Tefana and Punarii Luke, complete their joyous family circle.

“Toku family, e family puapinga, akapeea au te kimianga tai puapinga noku, teia ria taku i rave – tanutanu.”

While Taripo has experimented with exporting courgette, capsicum, and butternut pumpkin to Rarotonga, he ultimately found them less lucrative due to quality constraints and lower market value.

He now wholeheartedly focuses on perfecting his ginger crops, and expresses his delight that Rarotonga Brewery eagerly uses his “off cuts” for their ginger beer production.

They have long cultivated watermelon, pineapples, tomatoes, capsicum, cabbages, bok choy, cucumber and maniota (arrowroot) which they sell locally on the island as well as sending produce to Rarotonga for their families.

During the festive Christmas season, they prioritise local supply, fulfilling the island’s need for fresh fruit before adjusting their Rarotonga orders.

“People in Raro say our watermelon is cheaper so we get a few orders for them,” Taripo said. “But we have our people here too and our Christmas …”

Although farming is hard work in the sun, Taripo remains firmly grounded in his love for the land and his life.

“This is our life, the good and the tough, on our island.”