HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 608: 21 March 2012

What is Te Tika?
You may have noticed a buzz about town… Te Tika is coming! So what exactly is Te Tika?
The story starts in 2003 when Dr Graham Matheson, a Cook Islander, asked for the permission of the Koutu Nui to conduct research into Cook Islands Vairakau with Prof Bill Walsh at the University of NSW (UNSW) in Australia. The Koutu Nui considered this request after much consultation, and at their 2003 AGM voted unanimously to support in partnership a research and development project that would lead to the latest buzz.
With no precedent or guidelines, under its late president Dorice Reid the Koutu Nui and Dr Matheson developed a partnership with UNSW that is being hailed as “towards world’s best practice” by United Nation’s international biodiversity expert Dr Daniel Robinson. It is the foresight of the Koutu Nui and their unwavering support for the project that has set this apart in the world, with the Koutu Nui and UNSW being active shareholders, sharing the risks and the benefits of the development in CIMTECH (derived from the name Cook Islands Medical Technology).
In April 2011 at the Economic Summit, the project was announced to the Cook Islands, and foresaw economic activity on all levels of the economy, from planting to manufacturing, to retail and tourism, with additional benefits in technology transfer.
The research developed a technology that causes skin to regenerate and it is this technology that is behind the production of Bioactive Cook Islands Oils, from plants sustainably grown and processed on Rarotonga. The properties of Bioactive Cook Islands Oil and the integrity of the Koutu Nui involvement is the inspiration for this premium skincare range.
The prospect of developing a global skincare range using a technology that is simultaneously cutting edge and natural, with rich traditional history enticed the former Chief Operating Officer and head formulator of multinational cosmetic companies into the team dedicated to this remarkable product range. Using natural products and essential oils, the Island Series of skincare products was created. Whilst being Cook Islands origin, this will be a global brand, and needs a great name.
But, what to call this unique product? Often names are invented, or named after people, but the team felt that it needed to be a genuine Cook Islands Maori word, with emotional literal meaning. An independent marketing group assessed several Maori words and phrases that were submitted for analysis, evaluating the meaning, the pronunciation, the appearance and the fit with the products. Of the final shortlist, one stood out from the rest…. “TeTika”… meaning “Truth and Integrity”. TeTika fit the story from its traditional origins to skin care from real plants with real results on real people.
In keeping with the integral role of the Koutu Nui, final approval of TeTika was made with the Koutu Nui Executive, and whilst not actually named after the Te Tika Mataiapo Title, Henry Taripo te Komono o Te Tika Mataiapo Vaine Taripo passed on the family’s blessing to the TeTika brand.
“TeTika will be the legacy of Dorice and all of the Koutu Nui, so her family’s blessing was important to me personally.” Dr Matheson said.

Herald Issue 608 21 March
- Terms of one China Policy document should be reviewed
- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs

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