Cook Islands celebration

August 2022

Our schools have celebrated Cook Islands Language Week this month; sharing the beauty of the islands, the language, culture and identity, with our wider community.

‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna’

(connect me to the soil of my ancestors) was this year’s theme, said Flaxmere Primary School deputy principal Lynda Tyrell.

“It is a great opportunity for Te Kura o Pāharakeke/Flaxmere Primary to show our support for our community. This year our group was invited to open for the Moananui Project in Napier, performed at EIT, and supported Ellen Stevenson Kindy, Learning Adventures, Peterhead Kindy, Choices Daycare, and our own school, of course, where staff and whānau were invited to participate. We had lots of laughs and lots of fun.

“All 15 members of the group come from different cultures and backgrounds, however they came together to learn about the culture of the Cook Islands and performed with pride.”

At Flaxmere College student activities included ‘ei katu (head band) making, language learning and performances during the colleges Open Night.

“A big thank you to Taime Pareanga Samuels and Mary Ioane who came along and demonstrated ‘ei katu making during our Open Night,” said College principal Jim Hay-Mackenzie.