Winning the 2025 Te Mire Ura experts’ female category for the third consecutive year, Uirangi Bishop couldn’t be prouder, especially as a young mother.

The 37-year-old celebrated her cultural victory on Friday night at Rehab Nightclub, a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, which was celebrated in the Cook Islands yesterday.

Bishop, a passionate choreographer and dancer from Aitutaki, expressed her pride not only in her own achievements but also in her daughter’s success.

“I couldn’t be any more proud as a mother,” she said, referring to her daughter’s recent win in Te Mire Ura 2025 Potiki National Dance Club competition.

“I love my culture. I’m very passionate about it and teach it to many children,” Bishop said.

The night saw hundreds gather to celebrate Cook Islands culture, including expat workers, as Bishop showcased the cultural strength that runs in her family.

Male expert dancer of the year, Travel Tuaputa, dances his way to the podium. 25051122

Over 30 dancers competed in this enjoyable event organised by Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development), across four categories: Expatriates 18+ Years, Golden Oldies 56+ Years, Marsters 46–55 Years and Experts 30–45 Years.

Papa Ngarima George, oldest of the competitors, and best golden oldies male dancer. 25051117

The overall winner of the Golden Oldies was Papa Ngarima George, who was the eldest of the competitors, and took the title from former defending champ, Noo Ngametua. The overall winner for the Golden Oldies female dancer of the year was Mata Amara.

Expat winners, Cassandra Maenuu and Alphy Ngire. 25051124

For the expatriate category, Cassandra Maenuu, the youngest competitor, was named the best expat dancer after claiming the slow beat and fast beat prizes. Alphy Ngire was the overall best expat male winner, having also won both the slow beat and fast beat prizes.

The overall winner for the Golden Oldies female dancer of the year was Mata Amara. 25051119

For the masters category, Tauepa Tupa made a clean sweep, winning all three prizes: slow beat, fast beat and best costume, and is the best masters female dancer. The male masters dancer of the year title went to Tairi Paulo, who also won both the slow beat and fast beat dances.

For the much-anticipated experts category, Travel Tuaputa was named the new best male expert dancer of the year, and Bishop, the defending best female expert dancer of the year, retained her title.

Bishop, whose win did not come as a surprise, said winning the competition three times in a row was a blessing and a way to show her love for her culture.

“I feel amazing. It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve been in this for many years,” she said.

“This is actually my third year to compete in the expert. So I joined in 2021 and last year and this year.”

The 37-year-old mother is a proud Cook Islander who saw the competition as a platform to promote her culture and inspire upcoming generations.

“I love my culture. I’m very passionate about my culture. I teach it to many children,” she said.

“I’m a choreographer. I’m a dancer myself and my daughter was the winner of the (dance section) that just finished two weeks ago for the National Dance Club and this is the second year that she has won, and I couldn’t be any more proud as a mother.”

According to Bishop, her culture is very strong in her family, especially on her home island of Aitutaki.

“To anyone out there that is living here in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, come and be part of our culture. It’s who we are, it’s what we are known for out there so come and enjoy it. It’s for fun.

“I don’t practice (for this) as I dance (almost) every day, and I do it for fitness as well. I’m an instructor for CC Tamure. So we do it (dance fitness on) Monday, Wednesday, Friday.”