Enjoying the moments Cook Islands style

Rest, recreation and relaxation were the order of the day for a number of visiting personalities visiting our shores over the Xmas/New Year period. Twins Julie and Karen Hardie and their partners, took time out from busy schedules in NZ and Australia to spend time with parents Tere and Alan Hardie of Tupapa.
Nothing unusual you might say, but the twins presence had heads turning because of the unique tattoo styles on their bodies. Both displayed a surreal style never before seen on a woman with Karen tattooed from her shoulder, back and rear legs. Both explained they are of Japanese origin mixed with a blend of traditional NZ and anglo saxon designs. More significant was the fact that the tattoos were in colour and blended well with the contours of their slim body features.
Visiting the Cook Islands is not new for the twins as they have visited on a number of occasions in the past and have travelled extensively around other parts of the pacific.
Karen’s partner, Logovae Grainger otherwise known by many of his friends as “longi” is of Samoan descent (related to Mousie and Robert Skews) and has a story of his own to tell. Both he and partner Karen, own a very popular hairdressing salon in the heart of Lambton Quay Wellington NZ and hosts numerous famous clientele and sporting personalities including members of the All Blacks, the Hurricanes, All Whites soccer team as well as politicians and other personalities.
Longi specializes in weddings and is recognized as an international Hairdressing Judge requiring him to attend auspicious contests around the region. This is his first trip to the Cook Islands and his first impressions are that it is lovely, lovely and lovely. He has enjoyed his stay here although feels his partners father Alan Hardie is a workaholic of the highest order but great company.
Julie’s partner is Martin Humphries who is visiting for the first time. Both reside in Brisbane and for Martin, he has found this trip relaxing and great for chilling out. Martin is a former NZ Super heavyweight kick boxing champion and has trained a number of young Pacific people in the Porirua/Wellington area. Julie is a landscape architect and hopes to transfer some of her expertise and experience to the Cook Islands in the near future.
Also spotted visiting Rarotonga and friends of Karen and Longi were Tamati Ellison and partner Mere Maraea Dashwood. Mere is of Cook Islands parentage and simply loves coming home. For Tamati, this is his 10th visit and he has taken time out from his busy fitness schedule to visit family and friends. “I’ll be back because I can’t get enough of this place” says Tamati who played centre for the All Blacks European tour last year and was captain of the Wellington Lions and played in the Hurricanes Super 14’s team.
Joining Longi and the Hardie family for an evening barbeque was also another friend and the Chief Censor from NZ Bill Hastings and his family. Bill was joined by his mother and step father from Florida as well as his family from NZ and have found staying in the Cook Islands simply beautiful and divine. This trip is purely recreational and not work related however Bill explained that he would be involved in working with the Cook Islands Censor’s Office at some stage in 2010. I understand video piracy is a big issue here in the Cook Islands as well as Intellectual Property Rights which is something we are working with our counterparts here in the Cooks but for now, enjoying the sun, the water, the food, the people and the environment are nothing short of fantastic and I could really retire here.
For Tere and Allan, taking the option to retire to the Cook Islands has been the best decision they’ve made. They have settled in Tupapa and with Allan being a dab hand at gardening and general handyman, he is never short of work or finding something to do around the house.
For now, they have been enjoying the moments with their children, grand children and friends and are preparing themselves for returning to Wellington to watch the Wellington 7’s in February. Retirement is not so bad after all so long as you keep yourself busy which Tere does by playing golf and visiting friends.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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