Cook Island Group

Kia orana,

This year has seen the re-emergence of our Cook Island community representation. A small group of Cook Islanders (and friends) have been working together to showcase the Cook Island culture.

The Cook Island culture in its many forms is a passionate interest of mine and I am honoured to be the teacher liaison for the group. I am also supporting students wanting to complete NCEA examinations in Cook Island Maori. My language and dance skills are not exceptional, so the senior leaders, led by Samantha Tamaiwa, have coached the group themselves. This group of young Cook Island cultural ambassadors have proven themselves more than capable. We welcome community assistance and are hoping to build and grow our knowledge, numbers, skills, language and representation over the coming years.

The group began dancing together at the beginning of the year and our numbers are steadily increasing. The performances over the year (Fiafia Night, Matariki Festival, the Pasifika Fono), have been memorable and enjoyable.

The members of our Cook Island Maaori Team are Ana Seini Davis, Danni West, Eileen Davis, Joyce Singh, Katie Wekking, Kimi Tekotia, Laniah Leiataua, Nooroa Tonorio, Rangimarie Povey, Samantha Tamaiva and Trinity O’Sullivan.

Maitaki Maata (Thank-you) to the group members who have supported each other and displayed our culture so beautifully. I look forward to the coming years of celebrating Cook Island Language and Culture with more of the PHS community.

Manuia,

Sarah Tonorio (BSc Dip Tch)

By Trinity

To me being a part of the Cook Island group is an honour, being able to stand with another culture, even though I am not a Cook Islander myself. Before 2020 I knew nothing about the Cook Island culture until one of my friends who was in charge of the group, asked if I wanted to join them. From the start of this school year, I have learned so much about Cook Island culture, from knowing how to sway/shake my hips to gentle hands movements as-well-as learning some of the language.

By Eileen As a person I have grown more confident being on stage. When I have performed with the kapa haka group there are so many of us on stage, I am always surrounded by others and not usually in the spotlight. But being in the Cook Island group has brought me right out of my comfort zone as we have had small numbers, so everyone was visible. I would like to see more people join the Cook Island group in the future; we are very diverse, and we are willing to accept anyone that wants to learn the culture.

“Te maata i taau ka oronga ko te maata rai ia i taau ka rauka.” - The more you give the more you receive. if you give a lot you will receive alot.