Tourism Corporation behind the scenes of Te Maeva Nui

On Tuesday morning the Herald visited and spoke with Metua Vaiimene of Tourism Corporation about their involvement with Te Maeva Nui.
Metua said this year is a unique year for the Cook Islands Tourism Cooperation as they have joined in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Development and the BTIB [Business Trade and Investment Board] to deliver this year’s Te Maeva Nui.
The Te Maeva Nui said Metua, is the Cook Islands one true National event, it is a celebration that brings the whole of the Cook Islands together as one nation, all islands, vakas, villages are involved in the Te Maeva Nui. It provides a showcase of each of their cultures, and is a perfect opportunity for our visitors to interact with the range of islands and cultures that we have in the Cook Islands.
Metua said Tourism Corporation has adopted a strategy that was put forward by the Tourism Board and endorsed at the Economic Summit in March. That allowed the Tourism Board to develop a joint partnership with other agencies to deliver an exciting and memorable event.
“What Tourism is trying to do is come in and try to increase the publicity and awareness, especially in our international market, of Te Maeva Nui,” said Vaiimene.
Tourism Corporation was tasked with seeking sponsorship from businesses in the community for marketing, advertising, signage, publication and the float parade. “We worked hard to find sponsors that weren’t willing to just give cash but sponsors who will actually want to build relationships with the Te Maeva Nui for years to come. The sponsors that we have now can see that the Te Maeva Nui benefits our culture, people, and economy in a positive way,” added Vaiimene.
Not only have the Tourism Corporation helped develop this year’s Te Maeva Nui showcase, they also took part in developing this year’s Float Parade. The Tourism Board was in charge of the participants and advertisements for the float parade and was able to pull in 40 floats.
“We were able to provide a float parade that hasn’t been seen since the 80’s and 90’s, where people would know that this was the time to eat good food and watch good dancing,” said Vaiimene.

Herald Issue 554 09 March
- Norm exposes Trio of Doom
- Briefs from PM’s media conference Tuesday
- Tourism Industry ponders $5 million draft strategy
- Norman George resigns from Cook Islands Party
- Letter of Resignation from CIP
- Norman selfish says Prime Minister