Taka’i family reunion
OUR REVIEW OF 2009
Banyan Tree exhibition comes to Rarotonga
Art piece dresses space
Kingston women celebrate achievements
Reward offered for return of stolen items

The descendants of Elizabeth and Taka’i. 09122904

It was a toast to the both the last and the next seventy years for one member of the Taka’i family, at a family reunion.

“I turn 70 in June so this here is the next 70 years,” said Tata Taka’i of his grand neice, Mason Vaireka, who happily sat on his lap.

Over 100 people were at the reunion at the CIFA academy at Matavera, with family members coming from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Rarotonga.

The reunion was hatched in 2007 when some of the family members came on holiday to Rarotonga.

“The initial meeting was held in 2007,” said Lee Harmon, the son of Grover and Moeroa who is from the Taka’i family. We’ve got an uncle here that we haven’t seen for over twenty years; some family we haven’t seen in a very long time, some we haven’t seen at all.”

Harmon is nephew to 14 of his mother’s siblings – 11 are still alive.

The descendants of 12 lines turned up for the reunion in a sea of colour, with each family line wearing different coloured t-shirts.

“Knowing where we come from and who we are connected to is a good thing,” said Isaac Tutai (24) of Tupapa, a sentiment echoed by two members of the family who usually reside in Australia.

“I was born here!” said one proudly.

“I was made here!” said another.

Tau Estall, daughter of Matareu Taka’i, says that the best part of family reunions is meeting all your relatives, entertainment, and “getting to know our families and where we come from”.

It was also a prime opportunity to show that even after all these years, romance is alive and well, with husband and wife Teokotai and Ina Taka’i stealing the show in a spur of the moment hug during photos. Ina giggled like a young maiden as her husband refused a chair for his beloved, holding her instead.

The reunion concluded at Papa’aroa with a picnic yesterday.

• Edna Takaroka

THE YEAR IN BRIEF

January

Outspoken Pacific Mini Games chief executive David Lobb is sacked by the board for “poor performance” and for his statements made to the media. BCI pledges $500,000 to support the mini games and World Youth Netball Championships. Seventeen-year-old Daniel Mare escapes from prison – he was caught while attempting to buy an air ticket to travel to Aitutaki. Government hold public meetings on its fuel farm proposals. New Zealand high commissioner Tia Barrett arrives in Rarotonga for his new job. A lawsuit is filed by Triad Pacific Petroleum over government’s fuel farm scheme. Government hosts a one-day summit focusing on the country’s national sustainable development plan. Convicted fraudster Albert Tshabalala leaves the Cooks for South Africa – after eight years in the country – his car was left burning at Blackrock about the time he left the country.

February

CIP’s Pukeiti Pukeiti wins the Tamarua by-election. The Cook Islands Research Association hosts an economic summit ahead of its annual conference. The audit report is damning of government’s actions in pursuing a proposed fuel tank farm scheme. The national side wins the bowl at the Wellington rugby sevens. Club netball starts on Rarotonga. Minister Wilkie Rasmussen announces a deal with longline fishing boats to operate from Penrhyn. Government agrees to spend $1m to install an all-weather synthetic track at the National Stadium. Mac Mokoroa is appointed as new mini games CEO. Police commissioner Pat Tasker announces he will not be renewing his contract. Digicel announces that it is willing to buy Telecom.

March

Importers complain about containers being left behind in New Zealand by the country’s sole shipping line. Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai says Aitutakians should stop protesting at Sunday flights to the island, and pledges to run a referendum on the issue. Nine ladies sign up for the Miss Cook Islands pageant. Parliament brings in legislation to abolish offshore banks -- WSBC Bank is ordered to pay costs and quit the Cooks after a long running civil case. The host broadcasting agreement for the mini games is looked over to ensure it complies with Cook Islands legislation. Dengue breaks out on Rarotonga.

April

$4.9 million is added to the mini games budget in a supplementary budget. Engara Gosselin is crowned Miss Cook Islands. Pacific Forum Line is given approval to start a new shipping service to the Cooks. A shotgun blast narrowly misses Raviz Restaurant manager Nayshad Akhatar during an armed burglary – two 15-year-olds were arrested in connection with the incident. Sir Geoffrey Henry topples Tiki Matapo as president of the Cook Islands Sports & National Olympic Committee. The deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate lodges a continental shelf claim with the UN – amidst criticism that the DPM did not have to travel to New York. The Cook Islands Christian Church holds its bi-annual conference on Rarotonga. The proposal to remove coral from Muri lagoon for the mini games oe vaka course, is put on hold. Ten former employees of Oasis Energy Centre are charged with theft. Former prime minister Sir Pupuke Robati passes away in Auckland. Departure tax is increased from $30 to $55.

May

An ADB loan of $26.9m is secured for upgrading Avatiu harbour. There is an outcry over the increase in cost of residency permits from $10 to $250 – immigration says the fees have been in place for years but never charged. Digicel Pacific pulls out of the deal to buy Telecom Cook Islands. The contract for the design and supervision for the Pukapuka cyclone centre is awarded to Kramer Group of Vanuatu – earlier a member of the Pukapukan community expressed disappointment that the contract was not given to a local contractor. Former solicitor general John McFadzien passes away. Another person, Stanley Hunt, is invested with the controversial Makea Nui title. Government announces the Cooks as the world’s first recession free country as part of tourism marketing campaign. Former Ruaau MP ‘Boy’ Tepai Tepai passes away. Playing games on Sunday at the World Youth Netball Championships causes a stir in the community. The Rarotonga rugby league grand final goes to the high court after Ngatangiia-Matavera claims that the national association has breached its constitution and rules – the complaint is thrown out, Tupapa go on to beat Avatiu in the season finale. Former Penrhyn MP and the first Cook Islander to become Queen’s Representative, Tangaroa Tangaroa, passes away. Maara Tetava is named as the new police commissioner.

June

Five of seven lagoon sites tested in Takitumu do no pass the marine health test. The high court puts in an interim order to stop government purchasing Toa Petroleum’s fuel farm. Two complaints are filed with the Ombudsman’s office relating to requests made under the Official Information Act. Exercise Tropic Twilight – a New Zealand army project involving engineers, medical and dental staff – takes place on Pukapuka. Renowned academic and Pacific expert professor Ron Crocombe dies in Auckland. Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan is not convinced that the country is capable of hosting the mini games – 100 days out from the start of the games. After two years as an independent, Pukapuka-Nassau MP Vai Peua returns back to the Cook Islands Party after the party complained that he had breached the Electoral Amendment Act 2007. The Cooks beat Niue 29-7 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier in Auckland.

July

A 14-year-old boy is confirmed as the country’s first case of Influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu. Ature (yellow tailed scad) are plentiful at Avatiu and Avana harbours. New Zealand prime minister John Key arrives with a delegation of 70 on the last stop of a Pacific tour. Lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure is disqualified for driving after being convicted of drunken driving causing injury. Government receives $650,000 over the past six months in settlements from three South American purse seine vessels that illegally fished in the country’s waters in 2006 and 2007. Work on the Nassau harbour begins. The athlete eligibility for the mini games comes under scrutiny when it is found out that all Cook Islands athletes must hold a New Zealand passport. Minister Wilkie Rasmussen is sacked after admitting to a plan to form a new government – Robert Wigmore replaces him in cabinet. Government puts up $215 million in the mother of all budgets delivered for the 2009-10 year – up from the previous year’s budget of $141 million. The investiture of Atatoa Herman as Teaia Mataiapo attracts protest – the same happens when Tua Pittman goes through the same ritual a week later. Work is completed on the new multi-sports complex – the Telecom Sports Arena is formally handed over from the Chinese construction company to government.

August

Former manager of the Cook Islands tourism office in Auckland, Albert Numanga is sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of more than $1 million. Seven new heads of ministries are appointed. Norman George makes an application for financial assistance at the start of the Operation Slush trial which is hearing conspiracy and corruption charges against George and two others. The World Youth Netball Championships kicks off with the Cooks beating Wales in the opening game – the Cooks were placed sixth at the under 21 tournament which was won by Australia. Daniel Mare and another prisoner break out from Arorangi jail. DPM Sir Terepai Maoate says in parliament that the superannuation fund has lost $3 million on investment. The Democratic Party expel Wilkie Rasmussen from the party, accusing him of destabilising government. The Cook Islands mini games team is announced. Avatiu win the senior A rugby final 27-26 over Arorangi. 30 MBA students graduate at the USP ceremony at the National Auditorium.

September

The Tahiti Nui ferry arrives on Rarotonga with participants for Te Maeva Nui -- minus the group from Pukapuka. Pa Ariki terminates the lease on the ‘Sheraton’ property at Vaimaanga. Mini games organisers order a second boxing ring with the first being stranded in Samoa, following the grounding of a vessel. The Pukapukan contingent to Te Maeva Nui are flown into Rarotonga – all Northern group participants are flown back to their home islands after the mini games. Cook Islands Investment Corporation chief executive John Tini is suspended for allegations of improper conduct. Akaoa MP Teariki Heather vies for the CIP leadership. Maori King Tuheitia and his delegation visit Rarotonga. Oire Nikao takes out Te Maeva Nui cultural competition. The Pacific Mini Games opens on September 21 with a ceremony at BCI Stadium – discus thrower Tereapii Tapoki wins the country’s first medal, a bronze. Fiji dominates the early stages of the games with medals in the athletics. The first Cook Islands female MP and speaker of parliament Marguerite Story passes away at the age of 87. September 25 is Golden Friday for the Cooks – seven gold medals are won, four in golf, two in bowls and one for touch. Panic grips Rarotonga after a tsunami alert – water in the two main harbours is sucked out to sea, and news filters in of deaths in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

October

The Cooks end up with 15 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze from the mini games – the country’s best to date. Samoa wins the blue-ribbon rugby sevens event over rivals Fiji but the latter headed the medal tally when the games ended on October 2. Te Kura O Te Au – a movement born out from Sunday flight protests in Aitutaki – is formed. PM Jim Marurai demands a full report on the response to the September 29 tsunami alert. The police patrol boat Te Kukupa rescues a Canadian sailor in a dinghy, 450km northeast of Rarotonga. Over $37,000 is pledged in a Red Cross radiothon for tsunami victims. Businessman Tata Crocombe is appointed chairman of the Tourism board. The mini games organising committee sell off equipment used at the recent games. An economic task force, headed by Tata Crocombe recommends comprehensive economic development, along with political reform. Pacific Direct Line is issued with a shipping licence, bringing to three the number of lines servicing the country. A mixed and men’s netball tournament is held on Rarotonga. Businesswoman Teina Mackenzie launches a petition urging political reform. The Cook Islands Christian Church celebrate Gospel Day by re-opening the Takamoa mission house after a $1 million facelift. Police investigate the death of a 15-month old girl on Mitiaro – a nurse is later charged with manslaughter.

November

Cabinet approves a condition for future permanent resident applicants to be able to speak conversational Maori. NZ high commissioner Tia Barrett dies in Auckland after suffering a heart attack on the golf course in Rarotonga earlier. Justice secretary Mark Short says another $30,000 is needed to carry the prison through to the end of the current financial year. Lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure is struck off the roll of barristers after a number of offences and misconduct. The water situation on Rarotonga is deemed critical after little rainfall. The Seabed Minerals Bill is fast-tracked through parliament. Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin is named as first runner-up at the Miss South Pacific pageant in Fiji. PM Marurai says that there will be no early snap election next year and that government plans to call the election in September 2010.

December

A water tank subsidy is announced by government. President of the Democratic Party, Makiuti Tongia has been appointed to take over the role of Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand. Arorangi resident Peter Metuakore was acquitted of dangerous driving charges, including one of causing death to his wife, in the high court. The Cuban laurel thrip is a newly-discovered pest on Rarotonga. Pearl farming pioneer Tekake William passes away in Manihiki, one day before the opening of the new St Anne’s Catholic church in Tukao and the celebration of 100 years of the faith on the island. Ebony Richards is crowned the new Miss Tiare. Government announces an out-of-court- settlement in the fuel depot case – Toa Petroleum is set to collect $1.75 million in compensation, and Triad Petroleum which forced the case was paid $73,000 in costs. PM Marurai removes Sir Terepai as DPM, and then later sacks him – three ministers Ngamau Munokoa, Tangata Vavia and Kete Ioane resign in protest at the sacking. Wilkie Rasmussen makes the comeback of the year – he along with Apii Piho and William Heather Jnr are appointed as ministers, Robert Wigmore is the new DPM. Crown law says that it has spent around $177,000 on legal costs in the fuel farm lawsuit brought by Triad and for the out-of-court settlement process. Northern Cook Islands Fishing company pays the $560,000 still owed on its annual licences for its 16 Taiwanese longline fishing vessels. Kia Orana Air managing director Mark Lusby says that the new airline will take off by May 2010. The Democratic Party withdraws its support for the Marurai-led government. DPM Robert Wigmore announces a $3.5 million project to revitalise the declining agriculture industry in the outer islands. Nikao MP Ngamau Munokoa – Aunty Mau – receives an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

The Banyan Tree travelling international visual art exhibition curator Alfred Banze and his partner and fellow artist Catherine Falk with artist Mahiriki Tangaroa (centre) and her 2004 painting ‘Somewhere to Belong’ which is in the exhibition that will open here next Thursday. 09123105

An exciting visual art exhibition touring the world – The Banyan Tree project -- is coming to Rarotonga next week.

The exhibition opens at the Cook Islands National Museum next Thursday at 5pm and will run from January 8-22.

Two Cook Islands artists – Mahiriki Tangaroa and NZ based Mereana Hutchinson are among the 50 artists from 25 countries featured in the show which comprises paintings, sculptures, videos, photographs and installations.

Tangaroa has been assisting the creators of the Banyan Tree exhibition – curator and artist Alfred Banze and artist Catherine Falk from Germany – in the set up of the show here.

The exhibition began in February after four years of research and earlier work by Banze who in phase one of the project travelled to over a dozen countries to meet artists, collect artwork and carry out workshops. Banze first visited Rarotonga in 1998 and again in 2004 when he began working on the Banyan Tree project.

The project was inspired by the Banyan tree and the artwork of many countries and cultures, combining tradition and modernity in a global experiment in art and cultural practice.

In the northern hemisphere the Banyan is often known as a ‘ficus’ (a subspecies of the fig tree) plant and is also known as the strangler tree because it grows on a host tree first. In the tropics such as Polynesia it is revered, loved and feared. In the Polynesian culture the ora and the mati have cultural importance. A good example of the tree with its many aerial roots in Rarotonga are the large banyans growing at the National Auditorium – based at the same complex as the museum.

“Some of the best tapa is made from the tree. It grows roots from above down to the ground and so in the culture it has a lot of ritual elements too. The Banyan grows all over the world and in most cultures has a reference to the ancestors, gods or demons who are ‘in the tree’. Many people see it as a connection between the earth and the ancestors,” says Banze.

Here the tree has a few local names – one of them being ava.

There are numerous myths about the tropical Banyan tree, lending itself to be a powerful global symbol of cultural communities and diversity.

After starting in Bangkok, Thailand the exhibition has travelled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Berlin, Germany and Papeete in French Polynesia before this month’s exhibition in Rarotonga. Each show runs from two weeks to a month.

Banze and Falk plan to complete the exhibition in 2012 and will keep confirming new countries to take it to over the next three years.

Following Rarotonga, the exhibition will go to Fiji, South Germany and then China.

“We ask the artists to give us items that are portable because we take the pieces with us on the plane,” explains Banze as he deftly removes from a plastic bag the folded, rolled up painting of Tangaroa’s that is part of the exhibition.

The painting named ‘Somewhere to Belong’ is about how migration from the islands has created a dynamic cross-pollination of values and beliefs in the Cook Islands.

The exhibition includes workshops with children and young people to develop ‘re-mixes’ of the contributions. For example, Cook Islands pieces gave rise to videos in the South of China.

For more information on the Banyan Tree project you can go to the one day exhibition presentation on Friday January 8 at the National Museum. A two day workshop for young and established artists will begin on Monday January 11. This workshop is free so register your interest by contacting the museum on 20725 or Christina on 77571.

You can also log onto www.banyan-project.de to find out more about the exhibition and how the project all began.

• Helen Greig

Local artist Krick Barraud continues to use the methodology of ‘dressing space’ to address the cultural landscape with the instalment of her latest piece – ‘lemon, lime and bitter’.

Her latest work was revealed recently, suspended from a beam inside the ‘wrapped’ limestone building in which the artists used in her first instalment ‘endangered species’.

The latest instalment represents the ei, as the traditional garland of affection, suspended in the space which held the heart of the family in the limestone home in Avana.

In the same way as an ei is made and given to welcome and draw attention to the recipient, Barraud says like her first instalment she is continuing to draw attention to the plight of the historic coral limestone houses.

Barraud uses recycled materials with the concept of bricolage (a piece of makeshift handiwork) to reconstruct their meaning.

In this case the aluminium plinths represent the 15 islands of the Cook Islands and acts to highlight the large consumption of sugars found in soft drinks which in turn exacerbate the levels of obesity and diabetes within our society.

“It is timely to be able to unwrap the old house and to reveal this new gift of installation,” says Barraud.

“It’s also my way of saying meitaki to the people of Ngatangiia for their support and wishing everyone a bright shiny red, green and silver Meri Kiritimiti.”

• Matariki Wilson

Cook Islanders helped to celebrate the networking achievements of women in the Kingston, Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia, last month.

Also present was Kingston’s new mayor Steve Staikos who spoke at the Victorian Women’s Link event on Sunday December 6 at the Westall Primary School grounds.

More than a 100 people, mostly women and children, celebrated the beginnings of friendship through networking amongst migrant, refugee and mainstream women, by painting a Friendship Mural on one of the walls of the school.

The school stadium was decorated around the wall by women’s sarongs and bedspreads that gave colours and brightness to the place. Stars of the Cook Islands drummers and the Young Polynesian dancers provided entertainment, along with Shanula, a young girl from India, representing the Oakes Avenue Mothers Club who danced to a Bollywood song.

In his address mayor Staikos reiterated the council’s commitment to the Victorian Women’s Link organisers.

“Kingston Council has a proud history of supporting our diverse communities and this initiative is a continuation of that tradition,” he said. “Initiatives such as Women’s Link are an excellent way to bring the community together and create lasting relationships between women from all backgrounds”.

The Cook Islands Community Services of Victoria were represented at the event and a flag was presented to the newly-elected mayor.

Ngatuaine (Nga) Hosking, the women’s link coordinator in the area, emceed the event.

The event also included a health eating workshop conducted by Cook Islands women who have been actively engaged in raising awareness of Cook Islanders about their health issues.

The executive director of the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition, Melba Marginson, told the audience that through building strong network, women can solve the difficult issues that threaten community harmony because “women are the keepers of communities”.

• NH

Artist and teacher aide Donia Lilly came home to a not-so-happy new year early last Friday morning.

Her home was broken into and Lilly lost hundreds of hours of work on items of equipment that were taken in the burglary.

“I’m on a teacher’s aide wage,” says Lilly. “Teacher aides don’t get holiday pay. My notebook and hard drive I saved to buy and a lot of other things were presents from people.”

Lilly has been living on Rarotonga for seven months and a bicycle is her sole form of transport.

Items stolen include an Iomega hard drive and an Apple Macbook laptop computer upon which all her data is stored.

Lilly says these items are distinctive. The hard drive looks like a little hip flask and the notebook is all silver, except for the black keys and screen, and is cased in aluminium.

Two iPods, Logitech speakers, a Phillips razor and a blue laptop bag with a distinctive ‘S’ logo were also among the haul.

“Right now, I can’t even think about the possibility of not getting my work back,” she said.

The data comprises of her written manuscripts, archives for her art and records of paintings she has sold through her website, as well as works in progress.

She says that the data represent 12 years worth of work and can’t be replaced.

Friends however are hoping to aide the return of Lilly’s equipment and have banded together to put up a reward for the return of the goods.

The sizeable reward is offered for the recovery of the equipment, provided the data is still on it. If you have any information phone Lilly on 75647.

• Edna Takaroka