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HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 431 : 29 October 2008

Takitumu Tour All Go!

Final arrangements are being put in place for the upcoming tour to NZ by the Takitumu delegation led by Pa Ariki who will be attending the Takitumu Inaugural Festival hosted by Ngati Kahungunu in Hastings Aotearoa which commences from 12 to 16 November.
There is an air of excitement as the time draws closer and the group members realize the potential benefits attending this festival will bring not only for the organizers but also for the people of the Cook Islands. I’m delighted that we will taking with us, the cream of our Cook Islands musicians who have given their valuable time to support this initiative and will be performing and promoting their music. In addition, those of our oral and visual arts Taonga will also be doing presentations and displays on crafts, pearls and tivaevae and we will be taking every available opportunity to promote the Cook Islands where possible.
I’m also delighted that attending this festival as part of the Cook Islands delegation will be the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Matavera Cassie Eggleton. Their presence will add tremendous value to the mana of this tour and is very much appreciated. It is understand an array of Maori leaders, academics and noted performers including possibly the Prime Minister elect of Aotearoa will also be attending this festival.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to take a full strength cultural dance team but our Auckland Takitumu dancers have stepped up to the mark and offered their services to perform at the festival.
On Friday 7 November, we intend to hold a social fundraiser in Ngatangiia to assist the group and to launch our theme song ably composed by our talented musicians. Arrangements for this event will be made public shortly. We will also be performing in Auckland, Tokoroa and Hastings where many of our people are at to remind them of home and the importance of our culture and our people. Ironically, our Auckland Cook Islands community will be hosting a celebration of their own on Tuesday 11 November and we have willingly agreed to defer our early trip to Hastings to participate in this celebration.
Our delegation will also be involved in several Summit discussions involving Economic Development presented by Vaine Wichman and Ngatuaine Maui and the history of the Vaka presented by Paio Pirake. We will also be participating in the Pacific Wananga on the history of the Takitumu Vaka as it traversed the Pacific. Shona Pitt from CITV who is accompanying the group, will also be compiling a documentary of the tour and will take this opportunity to conduct interviews and photoshoots of our people in Aotearoa.
In January next year, our cousins from Tokomaru Bay Aotearoa will be hosting an historic celebration for their Marae and the significant relationship that exists with the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have been invited to attend these celebrations as well.
Tourism also plays a significant part in our community as we see more and more of our Maori family visiting our islands to see where their ancestors left centuries ago and the unique relationship that exists between us. We will be approaching Tourism Cook Islands to see what support or activity we can provide to promote tourism to the Cook Islands.
So as you can see, the significance of these celebrations is not only about showcasing our culture but also recognizing the special relationship that exists between our 2 peoples. I am confident that out trip to Hastings will forge many future relationships in the areas of culture, performing and oral arts, economic partnerships, potential business initiatives and more importantly, recognizing our family and kinship ties with our brothers and sisters in Aotearoa.
It is with some pride that I am happy to be leading this delegation to Hastings next week as I am sure, they will do us proud and will be good ambassadors for the Cook Islands.

Herald Issue 431 29 October
- Decision soon on LA deal with Air New Zealand
- In Search of Obama
- Takitumu Tour All Go!
-Teiti Tupuna our 11 year old superstar at the Manea Games 2008
- Changes to next Miss South Pacific Pageant