Talent, dedication, technique and “all heart” shone on the stage as 10 dancers competed in the popular Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) Te Mire Ura Senior Dance Championship this week.

The competition, held at Te Are Karioi Nui on Thursday night, showcased some of the nation’s finest dancers that captivated the hundreds in the audience.

Piritau Nga Jnr claimed the esteemed title of Te Mire Ura senior male dance champion for his exceptional performance.

In 2022, Nga Jnr was the runner up senior champion with Tamaiva Mateariki placing first. This time around the two experienced dancers yet again put their best performances on stage in a kinship rivalry with Nga Jnr placing first, and Mateariki, runner up.

Deeply passionate about culture, the Nga brothers and the Mateariki siblings have been participating in the Dancer of the Year competitions for many years. Over a decade ago, Nga Jnr won the Junior Male Dancer of the Year in 2016, and his brother Edward Nga, won the intermediate male dancer that same year.

This year, the senior female dance champion was claimed by the stunning and graceful Nicol Tiaore, who dancing effortlessly on stage with her mega-watt smile. Paige Taio finished second overall, and Zoe Hoff, the 2024 senior champion, in third place.

Tiaore’s performance was inspired by a personal journey to reconnect with and explore her cultural and ancestral roots.

Confident in her identity and sense of belonging, her song offered a heartfelt tribute to the northern island of Rakahanga, her motherland – thriving, beautiful, and preserved for future generations.

Through her performance, Tiaore encouraged others to look deeper into where they come from – their heritage, family stories, and cultural traditions.

“Learning about our roots helps shape our identity and deepens our appreciation for who we are.”

She expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her along the way and helped bring her vision to life. Their support enabled her to honour her roots and, in doing so, inspire others to do the same.

The audience also had the chance to witness the legendary Papatua Papatua, the Cook Islands’ former dance champion of many years and master dance emcee, still calling the fast-beat introductions as if he had never left the stage.

Dance script for Piritau Nga Jnr representing Tutakimoa – Kia orana tatou katoatoa i te aro’a maata o te Atua. Ko au teia ko te toa no Tutakimoa mai. Ko taku tumu tapura, Kua akamou ia te reira ki runga i toku tupuanga ruperupe, i roto i to tatou reo Māori. Kua riro teia ei tango ketaketa noku. Irinaki au e ka riro katoa teia ei tango ketaketa no te uki o apopo. E karakia i vai ana, e korero te vai nei. Ka ui ra tatou e, Eaa te kura no apopo? Auraka e noo vare ua, ko te peke a’ea to tatou reo ki te matangi. Ko to tatou reo Māori tetai reo paruparu i roto nei i te pa moana Pasifika. Kua riro teia ei mamae’anga ki te manava.

Ka akapeea tatou i te utuutuanga i teia tua o te peu Māori kia mai ketaketa no te uki apopo? E taku ititangata e.... e tu. Apii ia, mou ria ia, To tatou reo, tuatua ia.

Kia kite au e koai au, e Avaiki toku.

Ki te uki o teia ra, e kai i te korero a te tupuna mei taku i kai mai mei roto i te au taunga kama’atu, mei ia Mauri Toa, Rutera Taripo, Tepoave Araitia e toku metua tane Piritau Nga. Kua ngaki iaku i roto I te turanga o to tatou reo e ta tatou peu Māori. Tamariki Tutakimoa. E tano ei.

Results

Te Mire Ura 2025 Senior results. Female category: Best Slow Beat - Nicol Tiaore, Best Fast Beat - Nicol Tiaore, Best Costume - Paige Taio. Overall champion 1 Nicol Tiaore, 2 Paige Taio, 3 Zoe Hoff,  Consolation -Teitiraukura Ngaoire. Male category: Best Slow Beat - Piritau Nga Jnr, Best Fast Beat - Piritau Nga Jnr, Best Costume - Akai Tuakeu. Overall champion 1 Piritau Nga Jnr, 2 Tamaiva Mateariki, 3 Edward Nga, Consolation - Teariki Mahitu, Rickahn Iro, and Akai Tuakeu.

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Telecom company launches People’s Choice Award

Vodafone Cook Islands launched its People’s Choice Award for Te Mire Ura 2025 contestants, on Thursday night.

“The Vodafone People’s Choice Award is all about giving people a voice, an opportunity to celebrate the performer who truly stood out for them. It’s a way for the community to show their support and help shine a light on the dancer who captured their hearts,” said Vodafone Cook Islands commercial manager, Lahaina Kiely.

This new award offers the local community the opportunity to have their say and vote for their favourite performer in Te Mire Ura.

To cast your vote, simply text the number of your chosen contestant as a text message to 947 from your Vodafone Cook Islands mobile phone. Each text cost’s $1.

• Text 1 to 947 to vote for Edward Nga
• Text 2 to 947 to vote for Zoe Hoff
• Text 3 to 947 to vote for Tamaiva Mateariki
• Text 4 to 947 to vote for Teariki Mahitu
• Text 5 to 947 to vote for Nicol Tiaore
• Text 6 to 947 to vote for Rickahn Iro
• Text 7 to 947 to vote for Akai Tuakeu
• Text 8 to 947 to vote for Paige Taio
• Text 9 to 947 to vote for Piritau Nga
• Text 10 to 947 to vote for Teitiraukura Nga’oire

The contestant who receives the highest number of votes will be crowned the winner next week and will receive an Apple iPhone 13 and a cash prize from Vodafone.

Voting opened on Thursday, May 1, and will close at midnight next week on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

People can vote as many times as they like, for any number of contestants, using the same Vodafone Cook Islands mobile number.