Kia Orana Editor, As Cook Islands Māori, our traditional leadership system—consisting of Ariki, Mataiapo, and Rangatira titles—is not just a cultural institution; it is the foundation of our identity, unity, and genealogical history.

However, in recent years, disputes over titles have increasingly found their way into courtrooms, leading to broken families, damaged reputations, and confusion over succession rights.

To preserve the dignity of our cultural leadership, it is time we collectively look at establishing a formal cultural protocol—a process rooted in genealogy (akapapaanga), family consensus, and traditional knowledge—that governs how titles are organized, passed on, and upheld across generations.

A traditional title holder is not merely a nameholder. They carry the mana of the tribe and the legacy of their ancestors. Such a person must:

• Speak te reo Māori with confidence;

• Have a strong grasp of family genealogy and tribal history;

• Understand and perform cultural protocols and traditions;

• Be in good standing within the community;

• Be capable of uniting family members, not dividing them;

• And carry themselves with dignity and integrity at all ceremonial and official events.

The process of appointing a titleholder must be led by those who carry genealogical authority—not imposed by courts or outsiders. For Ariki titles, that authority lies with the Kopu Ariki—the collective of family lines connected to the title. They hold the knowledge of their akapapaanga and are best placed to judge who among them is ready to carry the role.

For Mataiapo and Rangatira titles, the process should also be similar to that of the Ariki where family lines connected to the title are the decision makers. Representatives within each family line have a duty to guide succession with respect to the traditions and structures of each family, vaka and district.

To address succession conflicts and ensure fairness, we should seriously consider a rotating titleholder system—one where each recognized family line is given the opportunity to serve as titleholder over a set period of time. This practice has already proven effective in the Tinomana Ariki title in Puaikura. It allows for shared responsibility, inclusiveness, and reduces the likelihood of legal challenges or family division.

A culturally grounded protocol would provide the clarity and fairness needed to:

• Uphold the mana of traditional titles;

• Reduce legal conflicts and community division;

• Ensure that our leaders are selected on the basis of genealogy, cultural competence, and character;

• And restore respect for our customary ways of decision-making.

Let us come together as a people to strengthen our traditional institutions with cultural solutions—not legal ones—and pass on a legacy of unity, fairness, and pride to the next generation.

Meitaki maata,

William Numanga.

Descendant from the Takau Rangatira line - Kopu Ariki member within Pa Ariki