In a world that continually evolves, where parenting styles and social patterns vary, two elderly men share their insights and advice for parents, especially for fathers, in observance of Father’s Day this coming Sunday.

Grover Lee Harmon (79) and Terekino Akai (85) from Aitutaki are first cousins who were brought up together and call themselves brothers.

Harmon resides in Takuvaine,, and Akai in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand - he is currently visiting Rarotonga.

Together they share their advice from their life experiences to parents on the significance of providing their children with a solid educational foundation, the benefits of healthy living, and their deep-rooted faith in God.

Harmon is a former school teacher who firmly believes that education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of children.

He emphasises the long-term benefits of acquiring qualifications in today's fast-paced world and encourages parents to prioritise their children's education.

“I would encourage parents to let their children go through education to get good qualifications because time is moving on and we need our kids to be educated very well,” he said.

Harmon was born on Aitutaki, to parents Pou Manava Arere, and an American father.

Completing his education at Araura School, he moved to Rarotonga to attend Teachers Training College.

In 1965 he married Moeroa Takai (dcd), they had six children including a foster child: Pou Manava, Mereana, Lee, Reureu, Harmon and Glenis; 19 grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.

Harmon worked several jobs on Rarotonga in different fields, including Cabinet Secretary to the Prime Minister for 10 years until 2011.

He mentions his very brief stint as a Speaker of Parliament with humour.

“I hold the world record for being a Speaker of Parliament - just one day,” he says, grinning.

Passionate about athletics, he was a speedy runner and was named Athlete of the Year.

He was also coach to his son Harmon Harmon Jnr - a former Cook Islands Olympian in athletics.

Believing in the importance of maintaining good health and well-being he says, “live a good life, have good food to eat, look after your body and do some exercise.”

Today, Harmon continues to run their business selling “only plain material” for women to design and print on - an enterprise that began 20 years ago.

A man of deep faith, Harmon said: “One of the most important thing to me is my religion (Seventh Day Adventist) it is a way of life I really treasure.”

He is anticipating Father’s Day and is “very happy” all his children are on the island to spend the day with him.

In a world that often seeks guidance and good judgement, Terekino Akai, radiates wisdom and insight.

Akai highlights the importance of parents being decent and respectable people for their children, and the significance of faith in leading a “fulfilling life.”

Born in Aitutaki on 26 September, 1938, he is the only child to parents Akai Kitai and Kaumoana nee Arere.

He moved to Rarotonga at the age of 19, working at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) school, Papaaroa College in Titikaveka.

Akai was also employed at the Public Works Department, and the SDA church mission for 15 years - at Papaaroa, and in Mangaia and Mauke.

In 1961, he married Keke nee Tetevano, who sadly passed away a month ago.

They have seven children: Oakbourne, Tereapii, Annie, Joseph, Naomi, Julie-Ruth and Kaumoana.

“We are blessed to have 22 grandchildren, 36 great children and one great great granddaughter,” he added.

“Growing up I knew that education is a best thing in life and I wanted to give my kids a better education so we moved to New Zealand.”

In the 70s, he worked as a part time Cook Islands Māori court translator in Auckland, a job he “really enjoyed.”

A sports enthusiast, at the age of 40 he took his fitness and health a level up joining Bodybuilding. He placed runner-up in a Auckland competition.

“Exercise and good food are important, and changing eating habits doesn’t happen overnight,” he says.

“We Cook Islanders we want to eat, we like to eat.

“And eating habits start from the parents who should show a good lifestyle, then their children will learn.”

Having profound faith in God, Akai says parents should also embrace faith.

“Life is not just work and school, but life is to acknowledge God as a source of life.

“Life without God is no life at all, this is the best advice I can give to parents.”

Education is also essential and people need to understand that as time goes by there will be change, he said.

“So I think we need to understand that, then we are able to go through the changes.

“We don’t want to stay back and be left behind.

“And we will need to change, but change for the better.”

Akai says Cook Islanders are a people who are family orientated and who keep family and people close, this is a legacy of our nation.

“Let us continue with this, then we will get to know each other and get to know the problems that we have, then we can help - and I think this culture with our people lives on.”

He firmly believes that fathers have an essential role to play in shaping the lives of their children.

“To parents, especially to fathers, be a good role model for your kids, and help your children accomplish something, also understanding not every child is the same,” said Akai.