Koutu Nui holds 36th AGM

The protection of traditional wisdom and conditions was the main theme of the 36th annual general conference and AGM of the Koutu Nui of the Cook Islands.
The two-day event began yesterday at the Calvary Hall in Puaikura and was scheduled to end today (Wednesday).
Speaking to the Cook Islands Herald during a break in Tuesday’s discussions, Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid explained how protecting traditional knowledge and beliefs, as well as the raui and maraes, was the focus of the conference’s workshops.
“I have no doubt there is not one Cook Islander who would not want to protect their traditional knowledge,” said Reid. “If you don’t, you’re not a Cook Islander.”
Reid said, while some metropolitan countries consider indigenous knowledge the equivalent of traditional knowledge, she considers it instead as traditional science.
“This is science that has been studied by our experts in their fields,” she said. “That’s why I call it ‘science’. It isn’t something that blew in with the wind and somebody picked it up. It’s something that has been studied over many, many years. That’s traditional knowledge.”
It’s crucial that raui be cared for as well, said Reid.
“It is necessary that we learn how to protect this traditional method of conserving resources,” she said. “It’s so important that we protect it because the traditional method is a method that works with nature, under the umbrella of nature.”
Identity, not idol worship, is at the root of preserving the maraes. Reid said there is a lack of reverence for the maraes, as exemplified by people placing the likes of buildings, pigpens and plantations on top of them.
Culture is behind the movement to restore maraes to their former level of importance.
“If you know you come from a particular marae, you will know who you are,” said Reid. “And you will know where you came from. You will know your history. That is why I personally have the belief that it is necessary for us to protect the maraes.”
Reid said decisions about what tools to use to provide the protection – be it legislation or customary laws – will emerge from the workshops.
“We’re going to have a ton of fun,” she said. “We are going to have some really great discussions.”

By John Ireland

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?