As the Cook Islands marks its 60th anniversary, its people from across the diaspora return home to celebrate their roots.
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna couldn’t disguise his admiration for the young people of his nation.
“You know, this is who we are. This is what we are. We love celebrating our culture. And today it was all about our culture. And of course, our culture is our people.”
Puna was speaking at the annual constitution float parade through the Cook Islands capital of Avarua earlier this month.
The event, signaling the start of the week-long Te Maeva Nui celebrations on Rarotonga, marks the moment the country became self-governing in free-association with New Zealand back in 1965.
Under this arrangement the country has full autonomy in terms of its own affairs but defers to New Zealand on foreign affairs and defence matters. Crucially, Cook Islanders retained their New Zealand citizenship.
The Country’s first Prime Minister was former Auckland unionist Albert Henry, who’d returned to his homeland to contest the election. Since then the country has had a succession of leaders over the years and come through some trying times.
“It’s been a fantastic journey, very interesting,” Puna says.
“There’s been a lot of challenges, but also there’ve been a lot of achievements. And I think today we have a lot to celebrate and to be proud of… you know, in terms of growing our economy, in terms of the infrastructure that has been put in place.”
Current Member of Parliament Teariki Heather, a former Deputy Prime Minister, paid tribute to the country’s leaders since 1965.
“I would like to commend the leadership that has been in all these years, since 1965, the late Papa Arapati Henry, and all of the prime ministers and all governments, that has been.”
While the country has progressed over 60 years, significant numbers of Cook Islanders have left over the years to make their homes overseas, especially in New Zealand and Australia. Now they and their descendants represent a ‘diaspora’ that numbers 80,000 in Aotearoa alone with 28,000 in Australia.
But each year, many make the journey to the islands to reconnect with their roots and with a 60th celebration on the horizon, groups like Auckland’s Manihiki community in Auckland are going all out to make the pilgrimage home.
“So we have been preparing for about four months,” says group leader Ta’i Teokotai Daniel Ieremia.
“But it’s been such a blessing and an honor to be asked by our Henua to join, to carry and uplift the name of Manihiki. So we’re definitely excited and we can’t wait to make our island proud.”
Young dancer Jenna Teariki is looking forward to the trip, “I’ve been back home many times, but this time is even more special because I will be going home to perform. So I’m very excited. It’s my first time and it’s the big 60th year celebration, so it’s going to be a big one.”
Nearly 1500 performers representing the various island groups as well as Districts on Rarotonga will take part in the Te Meava Nui performing arts competition during the celebrations. And, it is not just about culture.
“I think representation is important,” says Manihki Henua participant and Auckland broadcaster Susnation Seta.
“There’s no longer ‘a Cook Islander’, there are Cook Islanders half this, half that. Cook Islanders born outside of the Cook Islands and for our team in particular, you know Manihiki Henua, I am very proud that, as a nation, we also accept the diaspora.
“So to be going on stage and representing the diaspora of the Cook Islands, and to say, hey, no matter where you come from or no matter where you’re born, you’re still a Cook islander, and you can come back home and represent proudly. So that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
