Te Tango Tutara O Te Ture/Ministry of Justice marked a significant milestone this week, celebrating 60 years of service in alignment with the nation’s 60th anniversary of self-governance.

In a warm tribute, the Ministry yesterday honoured those who laid the foundation of a justice system built on fairness, trust and service to the people.

The celebration started with an orderly “Law and Order” parade through town led by Cook Islands Police, ending at the Justice building.

A special choir team from the Ministry performed Te Korona (The Crown), a composition by Henry Ahfoo Taripo, followed by the opening of an extensive exhibition highlighting each department’s legacy.

Titled “60 Years Legacy”, the exhibition showcases the advancement of key justice departments including Crown Law, Registry Services, Civil and Criminal divisions, Stenography, Land Court Services, Land Titles, and Survey.

The displays will remain open to the public throughout the month.

The modern chapter of the Ministry began in 1965, with Nikau Tangaroa becoming the first Cook Islander appointed as Registrar of the High Court and of Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Unions.

The Department of Justice was formally established in 1967, with the late Tiakana Numanga as its first Minister, and the late Nikau Tangaroa as the inaugural Secretary of Justice.

That same year saw several milestones: the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act, the establishment of the Probation Service under the leadership of Pae Puna, and the first sitting of the Parole Board on November 2. The Prison Service also transitioned from the Police to the Department of Justice, with Ota Joseph named as Superintendent of Arorangi Prison.

Veterans of the justice system shared fond memories and reflections.

Oliver Peyroux, the longest serving former chief surveyor, returned from New Zealand in 1966, and helped establish a rigorous and precise survey system based on New Zealand standards.

“I’m proud to be a Cook Islander,” Peyroux said.

Today, the Survey Office houses 4440 survey diagrams, 4883 lease surveys, and 3860 occupation right surveys.

Carmen Temata, who served as a Justice of the Peace for 18 years until her retirement in 2021, described the position as “challenging but rewarding”.

She praised the exhibition as a meaningful tribute to the past.

Former police officer and Minister of Justice (1989–1999) Tiki Matapo shared a humorous story about the department’s first fax machine.

“The night shift officer thought the typewriter was typing by itself,” he recalled.

Tuakana Faireka, who began working at Justice in 1975, continues to serve part-time, a demonstration of her enduring commitment to public service.

Secretary of Justice, Peter Graham, opened the event and acknowledged the efforts of the event’s organising team, including Henry Ahfoo Taripo, Florida, Annafaye Newbigging, Piakura Passfield, senior sergeant Rebecca Hosking-Ellis and senior sergeant Ngatamariki Pouao.

Graham emphasised the importance of legacy, saying, “It’s not just about events, but the people whose actions leave a lasting impact.”

He announced that official documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates will be issued for a particular period with a special 60^th anniversary logo at no additional cost.

Graham also reflected on the department’s early days, when records were handwritten or typed and stored in filing cabinets.

A 1982 fire severely damaged many of these archives. Since then, digitisation efforts – supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – have restored many historical records, particularly in the Survey and Civil Registry divisions.

The Justice Ministry once operated from the old Kia Orana Foods factory before moving to its current home, opened on November 17, 2004.

The addition of a lift was made possible thanks to the advocacy of former president of Cook Islands Disability, Tuki Wright.

Solicitor General Lauaki Jason Annandale paid tribute to all past solicitor generals, including Janet Maki, the first female and longest-serving SG, Tony Manarangi and Tingika Elikana, now the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting, using a traditional rauti leaf, was carried out by a distinguished group that included Judge Wilson Isaac, lawyer Norman George, Oliver Peyroux, Nooapii Tearea, Rima Lizzie David, Marie Haupini, Police Commissioner Teokotai Joseph, Teariki Purua, Elizabeth Wright-Koteka (on behalf of her mother Tuki Wright), Tupou Faireka, Pai Obeda (representing Pua Ngamata), Paula Paniani, Helen Williams – longest serving Justice staff, and others.

Minister Elikana, himself a former police officer, acknowledged fellow veterans like Tiki Matapo and Norman George, both of whom also transitioned from policing to politics.

In the foyer, a striking installation made from recycled kikau and VHS tapes, created by Ruta Pirangi and Henry Ahfoo Taripo, symbolically linked the past to the present.