More than 30 kids joined the first Atiu Fishing Club youth competition last Friday when boat owners and skippers took time to teach youths the art of traditional and modern techniques of bottom fishing, and using a rod and reel.

 “This is one of the best events we have done and it was just for the kids, not for us fishermen,” said Takili Tairi the vice treasurer and project manager for the Atiu Fishing Club.

“The hype from the mamas was another highlight on the day.

“There were crazy moments seeing all the mamas and papas crowding around the bins as they were lifted from the boats on to the harbour, wanting to buy fish,” he said.

Full support from the island was obvious as the harbour area filled with people waiting excitedly for their kids to return from ocean fishing and ready to buy, Tairi said.  

 “Most of these kids have never gone out on the boat to fish, this has been a good experience for them,” said Tairi, “it was a successful good day of fishing.”

Happy parents and mamas and papas prepared local fruit platters for the children in the morning before they set out for the day of fishing.

The event had been scheduled for Easter Monday but due to the bereavement of Papa Tutai Toru it was postponed.

The results for the 2023 Atiu Fishing Club Youth competition are as follows.

Special Prize for Traditional Fishing Method - Terii Tararo $50 Vodafone Voucher, Best TikTok - Teryna Paratainga $50 Vodafone Voucher. Females Heaviest Fish -1st Rouru Tei, 2nd Sonia Rakei, 3rd Stella Paratainga; Heaviest Aggregate - 1st Ngametua Mingi, 2nd Ngametua Mingi, 3rd Ake Teiotu: Under 13 (On Land) - 1st Ngatamariki Mingi, 2nd Maara Tairi, 3rd Tekao John; Under 13 (Boat) - 1st Tangata William 2nd Karmel Matapakia, 3rd Kerekere Samuel; 14 - 18yrs Heaviest Fish - 1st Teata Potoru, 2nd Noera George, 3rd Lopez Samuel; 14 - 18yrs Heaviest Aggregate - 1st Noera George, 2^nd Jomase Touna 3rd Teata Potoru; 19 - 25yrs Heaviest Fish - 1st Pania George, 2nd Teina Tomokino, 3rd Teatai Jimmy; 19 - 25yrs Heaviest Aggregate - 1st Pania George; 2nd Teina Tomokino, 3rd Teatai Jimmy.

The event was sponsored by Kōrero o te 'Ōrau, Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) and Vodafone Cook Islands with support from the club.

Participants who didn’t receive prizes were presented with consolation Vodafone vouchers.

Atiu’s Fishing Club committee would like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors and the boat owners who took the kids out on their boats: Te-Hani, Te Vine Mou, Teremoana, Taliamai, Maline’s Love, Piurangi, Mapumai II, Mahi-Mahi.Com, Vaha, Patrol Boys, Casey, Sea Ambulance - Media.

The Annual General Meeting for the club was held on 9th February 2023 at the Mapumai Meeting House with the election of the office bearers.

The Atiu Fishing Club Committee for 2023 are: Patron - Maki Kapao, Chairman - Tutoru Tearaitoa, Vice Chairman - Tuaine Rakei, Secretary - Adrian Teiotu, Vice Secretary - Maui Matakino, Treasurer - Mina Paratainga, Vice Treasurer - Takili Tairi. Executive Members representing each of the villages: Areora - Joshua John Jim, Ngatiarua - Tuaine Rakei, Tengatangi - Paul Kura, Mapumai - Vaine Patukura, Teenui -Metua Rouru; Project Manager - Takili Tairi, Reef Executive - Tangata Edwards, Ocean Executive - Teremoana Windy.