Dear Editor, We, the Mamas of the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church Ekalesia, who hosted our volunteers during the Church improvements are saddened and upset by the Letter to the Editor dated the 25th July 2023 titled “Factions in the Gospel Celebrations” and signed off by Tepure Ki Au.

Let us respond to your letter and enlighten you on what you call ‘Faction’ and what we call ‘Facts’.

Our church improvements were completed by many volunteers from various church denominations and workers of T&M Heather Ltd. No one was paid. 

We the Mamas provided lunch for our volunteers every day during that time.  Whatever we had in our cupboards we would cook it for our volunteer workers.  This was our expression of thankfulness to all our volunteers. 

We have fellowshipped in our church for almost 40 years and to watch it transform into what you see today was amazing. You had to be there to experience that feeling of transformation. There are no words to describe that feeling.

So, you can imagine how upset we were to read your letter, calling us followers of the “political faction” gang. Within the walls of the Church yard, there was an abundance of gratitude and humility. Outside the walls of the Church yard, we agree with you, there are politics and demonic forces at work. Fortunately, these two forces could not enter into the Church yard, as we mamas prayed every morning for God’s covering over the Church improvements and our volunteers.

We encourage you not to worry but to be encouraged by the word of God in Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. 

Our future when placed in God’s hands always prospers. In our own hands, and away from biblical values, we become destructive and competitive. The works of man himself! Let’s not give the devil too much credit!

Mama Tokerau is a well-loved mama within the community by many. We wish to respond to your comments about her Kura to the people of Puaikura, as the present Tinomana of Puaikura. 

It is not of our custom to call Mama Tokerau ‘Queen’. We have never used the term ‘Queen’. This is a colonial term used by the European Monarchy, not Polynesian Monarchy. 

We pay tribute to the late Mama Marjorie Crocombe whose mother was our previous Tinomana of Puaikura. She explained to us mamas that the term ‘Ariki’ means Chief not Queen, which means it is used on both male or female holders of any title. 

We are thankful to Mama Tokerau for sharing her Kura to us as Tinomana Ariki. It is an aspiration for all of us in the village of Puaikura. But only God knows who will go into His Kingdom. 

As believers in Jesus, we can only set the examples ourselves for others to follow. The challenge for Mama Tokerau is to set the example of bringing peace amongst her people and sharing what she has with those less fortunate. This is ‘Au Maru’ in action.

Meitaki,

Te au Mama o te Au

(Name and address supplied)