The annual Te Maeva Nui festival, in showcasing the nation’s unique culture, also provided a platform for friendly competition, and top performances.

The festival which ended on Friday with the prize giving ceremony served as a reminder of the importance of preserving and cherishing our traditions for generations to come.

In his address at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Te Maeva Nui festival and the Constitution Day celebrations at the Te Are Karioi Nui (National Auditorium), Prime Minister Mark Brown noted that the two weeks of celebrations have been significant for the Cook Islands.

Read more:

Te Maeva Nui awards recognise dedication and hard work of participating teams

 Te Maeva Nui brings out the best in cultural performances

A day of pride, unity and reflection

“Firstly, through the celebration of 200 years since the arrival of the Gospel to Nga Pu Toru (Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke) and Rarotonga on the 27th of July … and this week, our Maeva Nui 2023 has brought us together to mark our nation’s birthday, in ways only we know how – through song, dance, performance and food,” Brown said on Friday.

Prime Minister Mark Brown gets into the swing of things at the Maeva Nui prize giving on Friday joining the teams with enthusiasm. MELINA ETCHES/23080417

The Prime Minister reflected on this year’s theme for Maeva Nui – “Te au manu puapinga o toku matakeinanga – Birds or animals of significance to my tribe or my island” – and its representation in the “spectacular” performances.

“For our ancestors, birds held deep significance and had a vital place in our traditional life,” Brown said.

“We have seen some of the magnificent performances in this year’s Maeva Nui based around certain birds and why they were and are important.

“Our ancestors paid close attention to the habits of birds which became a rich source of metaphor, poetry, and instruction.

“Such learnings live on today in deeply meaningful tattoo patterns such as that of the Manutai, the seabird-shaped design modelled off the Kota’a or Great Frigate birds.

Mangaia enua in the kapa rima section. MELINA ETCHES /23080627

“In the same way that our ancestors, over many decades, looked to our birds and to nature, for inspiration, for guidance, for new lands and opportunities, security and prosperity – so too must we continue to be guided by those traditions, of existing in harmony with mother nature and our traditions keeping foremost the wellbeing of our people, our lands, our oceans and all within – for today and long into the future.”

PM Brown got into the swing of things at the prize giving awards joining the teams with enthusiasm.

The last night of the spectacular performances at Te Maeva Nui was held on Thursday night at Te Are Karioi Nui.