The Aotearoa Society of the Cook Islands is proud to welcome master carver Michael Matchitt to Rarotonga as part of Tātai Hononga — a cultural carving exchange taking place from June 6–20.

Matchitt accompanied by partner and support coordinator Miraka Davies, will work alongside local hosts and community members to carve pou (carved posts) for installation inside the Aotearoa Marae in Tupapa. These pou will represent tīpuna (ancestors) who journeyed from the Cook Islands to Aotearoa, symbolising the enduring ties between our islands.

This kaupapa is deeply rooted in whakapapa and shared voyaging traditions. It honours the ancestral links between Māori and Cook Islands peoples and reflects a growing movement to celebrate and preserve these connections through taonga, storytelling and exchange.

The Aotearoa Society extends heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organisations who have supported the project. Special thanks go to Noo and Nikky Baker for their swift and generous response in organising the felling and delivery of timber for the carvings.

“Your willingness to answer the call made all the difference,” says Aotearoa Society president Derek Fox.

“We also gratefully acknowledge Island Car and Bike Hire for providing transport, and the New Zealand High Commission for their generous backing of this kaupapa. Your support ensures this exchange not only deepens cultural understanding, but leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.”

New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine Graham said the Commission was proud to support Tātai Hononga.

“This exchange is a beautiful expression of the deep and enduring connections between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Supporting the creation of these pou — and the cultural exchange they represent — aligns with our shared commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and celebrating the richness of our Pacific whakapapa.”

Community members are welcome to visit Aotearoa Marae during the carving period to meet the artists, observe the process and learn more about the stories embodied in each pou.

As the pou begin to take shape, so too does a powerful symbol of our connected histories and futures — carved in timber, grounded in whakapapa, and standing proud at the heart of our marae.

• Jaewynn McKay