Culture
Apii Nikao celebrates Cook Islands culture
Saturday 27 August 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Culture, Local, National
Apii Nikao celebrated the end of their Cook Islands Maori Week with drum dance, traditional songs and decorated classrooms on Friday.
Educational filmmakers triumph for Kuki Airani Reo
Thursday 25 August 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National
Community leader Mama Teremoana Maua-Hodges in Porirua, Wellington is spearheading a project called E Reo Nuku that consists of a series of ten 30-minute video resources. Mama Teremoana is the Presenter, and it is being co-produced by Taputukura Raea, aided by facilitator Samson Samasoni who is providing directorial guidance.
Conducting research in indigenous communities
Monday 22 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islander Ulamila Kura-i-Marie Vakalalabure Wragg, a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, is working on a thesis focusing on gender, power and land innovation in the Cook Islands and Fijian culture.
Promoting the Cook Islands language with modern day music
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands singing sensations the Samson Squad are rocking Pacific music lovers the world over with their winning arrangements of modern, hip and groovy urban music and the traditional language of Reo Māori Kūki 'Airani.
Three generations keep Kuki Airani Tivaevae alive in Auckland City
Thursday 18 August 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National
Attended by a small pocket of the Kuki Airani Community still residing in Auckland central, a group of mamas, young and old come together to teach and share in the traditional craft of Tivaevae/Tivaivai quilt-making. By Kendall Vano of Tagata Pasifika.
Weaving research with tradition
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Presenters at the Cook Islands Research Association symposium on Thursday last week discussed a range of concerns and issues when conducting research using indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Keeping Cook Islands culture alive in Aotearoa
Saturday 13 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
In a blaze of pride, the spirit of Cook Islands cultural performing arts in Aotearoa New Zealand sprung to life as pulsating drums, heartfelt songs, mesmerising dances moves and vibrant colours took centre stage at the inaugural Kapa Nui festival last week.
Cook Islanders paving the way in research and tradition
Friday 12 August 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Culture, National
A research symposium hosted by Te Vairangi Kite Pakari Cook Islands Research Association at the Crown Beach Resort yesterday discussed the relationship between research and tradition.
For the love of culture
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
As teams struggled to get numbers for this year’s Te Maeva Nui, Tupapa-Maraerenga received a boost from a New Zealand-based Cook Islander who returned home to participate in the annual festival which concluded last Friday.
Te Maeva Nui’s ‘high standards’ please Tauranga Vananga
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Despite being scaled back for the second consecutive year due to cuts in the Budget, Te Maeva Nui cultural festival is still maintaining its high standards, says Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture) Secretary Anthony Turua
Celebrating Cook Islands language in New Zealand
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Cook Islands Language Week was celebrated last week right across Aotearoa New Zealand, with each Cook Islands community hosting a week of activities targeting the celebration of language and culture.
Curtain falls on country’s biggest, best cultural event
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The countless hours of late nights rolling into the wee hours of the morning rehearsing and making costumes have come to an end for the hundreds who have participated in the county’s biggest and best cultural festival – Te Maeva Nui.
Tributes flow for fallen kapa haka icon
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The body of Te Arawa kapa haka stalwart Sally-Ann Roberts (Ngāti Hinemihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāpuhi) was repatriated back to Aotearoa New Zealand yesterday.
Atiu wins top Te Maeva Nui awards
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Atiu’s spectacular performances and creative costumes helped the southern group island’s dancing troops clean sweep the top awards in Te Maeva Nui 2022 cultural festival.
Te Maeva Nui: The gospel of healing
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teams taking part in the 2022 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival sang their hearts out in harmony in the Imene Pupu (Choir) and Imene Tuki (Traditional Hymn) categories on Thursday night at the National Auditorium.
Learning to live a subsistence lifestyle
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, National
A group of more than 40 Rarotongan students from an environmental advocacy group have been learning about the lifestyles of the people of Atiu, and sharing their own knowledge.
Youngsters excited to learn their reo
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders in Auckland are optimistic their reo will survive into the future, thanks to growing enthusiasm among the community’s youngest members.
Songs of hope
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The National Auditorium came alive this week with powerful songs of the Gospel and Vairakau Maori (traditional remedies) echoing through the hall.
Te Maeva Nui performers dazzle crowd
Friday 5 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Maeva Nui, the nation’s biggest and best cultural extravaganza, hit off to a great start with over 1000 people cheering and welcoming the first night of performers onstage at the National Auditorium on Wednesday.
Celebrating 57 years of self-governance
Friday 5 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Dignitaries, members of the public, Te Maeva Nui dance groups and visitors gathered at the National Auditorium yesterday to mark the Constitution Day – 57 years of self-governance from New Zealand.
