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2008 Golden Oldies Dancer of the Year

Loads of enthusiasm by dancers in the Golden Oldies dancer of the year competition makes it the best and most entertaining of the annual dance competitions.

The golden oldies dance competition held on Tuesday 28 April saw 14 contestants take to the Banana Court dance floor to show that age is no barrier when it comes to Cook Islands dancing.

Contestants danced in two categories – rauti pi (green/young rauti leaf) for contestants between 40 and 55 years and rauti para (ripe/yellow rauti leaf) for dancers over 56 years old.

There were no surprises when 2007 defending champions Jacob Samson (men) and Teremoana Tunui (women), both from Auckland, was announced winners of the competition.

Second place in the women’s category went to Mii Quarter who won two bottles of wine which she quickly passed over to her girlfriends who were there to support her.

Third place went to Mama Vini Henry who represented Manihiki.

Second in the men’s category went to Nooroa Ngametua of Mangaia.

Tereora College teacher Vae Unuka or Mr Tereora as he is know took out the third place.

Photos by Matariki Wilson

Top Row (left to right)
Teremoana Tunui’s breathtaking performance helped her retain the golden oldies dancer of the year title that she won in 2007. (Photo Order # 08042905)

The voluptuous crowd pleaser Ngapoko July of Aitutaki. (Photo Order # 08042917)

2^nd Row (left to right)
2007 and now 2008 golden oldies dancer of the year Jacob Samson urged Cook Islanders to hold on to their culture.  (Photo Order # 08042909)  

Mama Vini Henry who represented Manihiki came third.  (Photo Order # 08042913)

Nooroa Ngametua of Mangaia clearly enjoying his time on stage.  (Photo Order # 08042911)

3^rd Row (left to right)
Vae Unuka bribed the judges but didn’t need to as he is skilled dancer with enthusiasm to match.
(Photo Order # 08042912)

Turi Natini, who propped up the bar hours before his performance showing off his muscles to the ladies. 
(Photo Order # 08042927)  

Sema Robati from Tokoroa.  (Photo Order # 08042924)

4^th Row (left to right)
Mii Quarter won second place in the dance competition where she won two bottles of wine which she quickly gave to her entourage of girlfriends who were there to support her.  (Photo Order # 08042914)

In Tuatai’s performance, he dedicated his item to the Atiu kura or lorikeet bird. (Photo Order # 08042922)

The gracefull Apii Cummings. (Photo Order # 08042915)

5^th Row (left to right)
Maria Herman Edgar or Aunty Keri as she is known won the mama rauti para category. 
(Photo Order # 08042918)

Crooner and drummer Tuatonga Tuatonga. (Photo Order # 08042923)

Turua Peter danced in the mama rauti para category. (Photo Order # 08042920)

2008 Printed photos, are available for Sale from the CI News office. Please quote the individual Order number.