Reverend Oirua Rasmussen was man of the cloth – a Minister who provided spiritual leadership and enlightenment to members of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia for over 25 years. He passed away last month on March 29, aged 60.

Rev. Rasmussen was also known as a “Jack of all trades and a master of all”, says his son Saungaki Rasmussen. He was a builder, a plumber, an electrician, a chef, a tailor, and a carver, among other things. He was also a builder of people’s lives and their homes.

Rev. Rasmussen was ordained in the Nikao CICC Ekalesia in 1997 where he was also serving as a Minister before he passed away.

His other key responsibilities were: Tereora College Chaplain, Nikao Primary School Chaplain and Cook Islands Parliament Chaplain. He was also responsible for releasing and receiving the deceased from the Rarotonga morgue, and the international and domestic flights.

The youngest of seven children, Rev. Rasmussen was born to the late Peter and Kataraina Rasmussen, and grandson of the late Viggo Rasmussen of Denmark and the late Kuraiti Isaia of Penrhyn/Tongareva.

Rev. Rasmussen was born on Omoka, Penrhyn Island on August 5, 1962 where he was raised. He was a student of Omoka Primary School from 1967 – 1973.

Pallbearers carry Rev. Oirua Rasmussen’s casket after his funeral service at the Nikao CICC Ekalesia. MELINA ETCHES/ 23040416

He moved to Rarotonga with his parents when his father took up employment at the Cook Islands Meteorological Service from 1974 – 1976. Rev. Rasmussen attended Nikao Maori School and Tereora College.

In 1977, Rev. Rasmussen moved to New Zealand where he attended Tepuke High School for two years.

Returning to Rarotonga in 1979 for what was meant to be a holiday, he stayed back completing his New Zealand School Certificate at Tereora College. 

Rev. Rasmussen married his first wife Tongitapu Narito Taime on December 12, 1987 in Omoka, Tongareva.

While living on Penrhyn he was the fisheries officer and worked at the Electric Power Supply Office (EPS). He was also a customs officer in Rarotonga from 1980 – 1982.

After some years Rev. Rasmussen discovered his calling and enrolled at the Takamoa Theological College from 1993 – 1997, graduating with a Diploma in Theological Studies and ordained as a Minister.

Rev. Rasmussen loved using his hands and his skills to build and renovate buildings to help people.

During his Ministerial service in the churches in Rarotonga and in the Pa Enua, he managed and completed several significant building projects.

He first served as a CICC Minister at the church in Omoka, Penrhyn from 1999 to 2003.

During his term there he was responsible for the extension of the Omoka Ekalesia Mission House, the re-build of its kitchen and bathroom facilities, the extension of the Omoka Ekalesia Church building, the renovation and completion of the remaining work on the Penrhyn Hospital, and was the assistant carpenter in the building of Peula II – the Omoka Ekalesia CICC Mission House and the construction of some built private homes.

From 2003 to 2007 Rev. Rasmussen moved to Mitiaro as the Minister of the CICC Ekalesia on the island and during this period he oversaw the renovation of the Mitiaro Sunday School Hall, the Mitiaro Ekalesia Church, built seven residential homes, renovated and re-roofed some houses without payment.

On the island of Atiu from 2007 to 2011, he led the projects for the renovation of public toilets in the church grounds, the rebuild of the Atiu Ekalesia Church and was the assistant carpenter for the construction of the building of the Atiu Power Station.

From 2011 – 2015 he was the Minister at the Matavera CICC and the project manager and lead carpenter for the rebuilding of the Ekalesia Sunday School Hall – Gibeona.

In 2016 he took on the role as the Minister at the Nikao CICC Ekalesia, two years later he was responsible as the project manager and carpenter of the new Nikao CICC Mission House – Betania.

Principal of Tereora College, Mona Ngaau and the school’s chaplain Orometua Oirua Rasmussen at the first school assembly for 2023 at the Princess Anne Hall. MELINA ETCHES/23013001

Rev. Rasmussen supervised the Nikao Ekalesia Church Renovation – Kanaana, in 2020 which replaced the existing roofing, electrical wiring and fittings, windows and a new coat of paint.

The Nikao Hall Renovation – Nebo project started last year to improve the construction of the hall to also stand as a cyclone shelter and a community hall for the village.

Rev. Rasmussen remarried after the passing away of his first wife (Tongi Narito Rasmussen) in 2017, to Mati Boaza on the 5^th of October, 2019.

Rev. Rasmussen leaves behind his legacy – the improvements of the foundations of several churches and buildings, and homes to enhance the livelihoods of people.

Saungaki Rasmussen said his father’s favourite verse is found in 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Kare oki ite ngakau kope ta te Atua I oronga mai no tatou; te ngakau maroiroi ra, e te aroa, e te ngakau akono meitaki.”

And his favourite quote is “Persevere always”.

Rev. Rasmussen is survived by his 13 children (including feeding kids), nine grandchildren and his wife Mati.