Aitutaki’s Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa was overwhelmed, speechless, and happy at the island’s successful Bi-Centennial arrival of Christianity celebrations that was held on Gospel Day, October 26.

Tamatoa Ariki’s spokesman Te Putokotoko o Tamatoa Ariki - Kiikoro- i-te-Maru-o-te-Ao: Arerau Maao Jr said Tamatoa Ariki was moved and proud at the day’s proceedings.

The day began with traditional awakening of the island with the sounds of pounding cultural drums at 6am, to the unveiling of the Bi-Centennial plaques and ending with the re-enactment of arrival of Christianity to Aitutaki on October 26 1821, by the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia.

Tamatoa Ariki was happy to see the joy, trust and faith of the people of Aitutaki and that the formalities of the event went well, and “he was touched at the songs that have been written to mark the historic occasion,” said Maao.

Maao said he himself had also felt emotional on the day when he visualised how his great grandfather Kaoki Tamaao would have been on the same day 200 years ago.

“I’m very lucky and proud that I’m another descendant of the Maao tribe taking part in these celebrations… 200 years later.”

From the opening day, the Bi-centennial was about celebrating - bringing people together. “It was good seeing everyone smiling and happy… Ngati Tamatoa have spread throughout the Pa Enua and we were happy they have joined in our celebrations of Christianity that has brought us to where we are today.”

Maao has taken on the responsibility of Te Putokotoko o Tamatoa Ariki – a title that his grandfather Piri Maao had held. Taking on the role was a big commitment, there have been sleepless nights in preparation for the historic day.

“It’s good everything fell into place,” he said.

The early morning ‘Tama Tiki Tama Rangi’ procession of the carrying of a carved Bible on a ‘ata’ from Arutanga harbour was the vision of a representative of Te Are Taunga, Teina Bishop.

“We are a people led by God, when Christianity came, it came here first; so in order to survive we are reigniting our faith,” said Bishop.

The procession had to be precise and be clear, “because we are dealing with the Lord… and everything had a significance.”

The beautifully carved Bible was made by Taunga - the Davey brothers from Ngati Tepaki, said Bishop. The teak timber it was carved from had been sitting around for 10 years, and the ata was made from the au (meaning peace) tree timber.

“We are spiritual beings, in terms of our tribe Te Are Taunga - each tribe has their own set of skills, like the korero and dancing, the drummers and the Davey brothers are the carvers - they also carved the ata miro for the investiture of Tamatoa Ariki (Teao Tangaroa),” said Bishop.

Starting the procession at Orongo Park was significant, said Bishop, “because it is sacred ground where Christianity landed here”.

And he is convinced that “well before Christianity arrived here, our people knew the power of God was in the heavens, before the missionaries arrived…”

According to Bishop, in two years’ time when the Pa Enua commemorate their 200 years of the arrival of Christianity to their lands, the carved Bible will be taken to Atiu by Tamatoa Ariki… “wherever Tamatoa has taken the Gospel that’s where that Bible would go.”
“Now its all done, and it was done accordingly - it was a spiritual journey,” Bishop said.