Minister of Culture opens Te Maeva Nui 2010
The following is the speech given by the Minister for Culture Cassey Eggelton last Saturday at the Punanga Nui market

“Kua kore ia rangi, te iti maira te ra ou …..
e uki ou e tu mai nei, ei iriiri i to tatou nei kainga ipukarea”
Turou e Kia Orana tatou katoatoa
Welcome to the opening of Te Maeva Nui 2010.
Today I am addressing you on behalf of the executive government, and in particular I deliver a warm Kia Orana from our Prime Minister, the honorable Jim Marurai, who is presently on his way to Vanuatu.
Our Deputy Prime Minister, the honorable Robert Wigmore and Mrs Wigmore, Kia Orana. Thank you for joining us, ahead of your departure to visit our friends in China, where you will be holding celebrations to honor our country, much like we are here.
Kia Orana to my fellow members of Cabinet, the Speaker and to the Members of Parliament who have graced us with your presence today.
Kia Orana to the President of the Ui Ariki, Travel Tou Ariki & Tou Ariki Vaine, members of the House of Ariki.
Te Tika Mataiapo – President, and the members of the Koutu Nui Kia orana.
E raurau aroa noku,
noou e taku iti tangata
No toku inangaro i toku ipukarea
Taku tango!
Taku one kura!
Taku Kapuaanga
I..o…ko..ko
Kia Orana to the New Zealand High Commissioner, Ms Linda TePuni, and to the members of the diplomatic corp.
Kia Orana to our Pastor Tevai Matapo, this morning you have raised our spirits with your prayer. Meitaki maata.
Kia orana and a warm meitaki maata to our sponsors of Te Maeva Nui 2010, many of whom have supported us through the years and who continue to demonstrate the value of our culture through the generous donations, even in these tough times.
Also Kia Orana and meitaki maata to the wonderful members of the Nikao Brass Band. To the Theological College for your joyous singing, the torch bearers, and of course to the Te Maeva Nui Teams who have assembled and paraded through Avarua – Kia Orana and meitaki maata to you all on behalf of all the people of the Cook Islands.
You may not realize but these ceremonies are the milestones of the history that we create together. This opening ceremony reminds me every year about how much we have grown as a nation. Sometimes we have wonderful successes, and sometimes we struggle, but every year we evolve, and we never stop learning.
That is why I am so excited about the theme of Te Maeva Nui 2010 – “Tuatua pakari no toou matakeinanga – wise sayings of our tribe.” I have a wise saying from my tribe that I will share with you, but before I do, I would like to remind all of you, who have made it here to the opening, that we have a wonderful showcase of entertainers beginning this evening with the international night, with groups from New Zealand, and a group all the way from Slovenia, as well as performers from our local ethnic communities.
During the week our Constitution competition will be held, and although this year the islands will be celebrating in their own communities, we have a great line up of groups, from around Rarotonga competing.
I also remind you all that on Wednesday, 4th August we officially celebrate our 45th year of self government. And I ask you to make a special effort to come to the Constitution Day celebration, which will be held from 9am at the National Auditorium. To our visitors here in Rarotonga, I invite you to attend, you are most welcome to commemorate our national day with us.
To Everyone, as you enjoy our festivities over the coming week, as you are walking through the National Auditorium doors, kia mataora kotou, please take the time to smile and say thank you to the staff of the Ministry of Cultural Development, who work tirelessly to deliver this event to you each year.
Now I leave you with a wise saying
“Kia karavia o mata!
Ei tuitui ngakau,
mata kaapeape ……
Tanumia!
Ei tango no apopo ……
I..o..ko..ko”
Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
I NOW DECLEARE TE MAEVA NUI 2010 OFFICIALLY OPEN

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