People from all walks of life attended the Mitiaro/Nukuroa and Mauke/Akatokamanava Bicentennial “Te Arikianga o te Evangelia – the Arrival of Christianity” celebrations over the weekend.

Mitiaro started their celebrations on Sunday, July 16, and on Saturday, July 22, the residents along with visiting family members and guests marked the arrival of the Gospel in 1823.

The event which started at 6am was attended by around 300 people from the Pa Enua, Rarotonga, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Josephine Lockington and Gaylyn Lockington at Mauke Bicentennial celebration. 2307232

The island of Mauke celebrated their Gospel Bicentennial yesterday with an early start at 6am with the tangi of the tokere (drums).

A re-enactment of the arrival of the Gospel, represented by a boat carrying people out in the lagoon while people waited for its arrival, was held early in the morning.

Gaylyn Lockington, who attended the Bicentennial celebrations, told Cook Islands News: “It’s been a very emotional experience for me to be part of the Ngaputoru’s Bicentennial celebrations travelling as a member of the Aitutaki Tui Atiu, as my mum’s biological mother is from Atiu and her grandfather was one of the first missionaries to travel to preach the gospel in PNG. It feels like coming home.”

“The feelings amongst the people is absolutely beautiful, everyone is united regardless of religion or where they came from. I feel the love of the people and more so, that of our Father above shining down upon his people here in the Ngaputoru.”

Lockington said she was a very proud Aitutakian to see the respect bestowed upon Tamatoa Ariki who first accepted the Gospel and took it to Atiu, as well as a proud Atiuan to see the respect bestowed upon Rongomatane Ariki who accepted the Gospel and took it to Mitiaro and Mauke as well as directing the captain to Rarotonga.

“A very proud descendant of the original Rongomatane who accepted the Gospel and became the best evangelist in the Cook Islands history. Very humbled and honoured to be part of this historical event!”