Crafts and island kai at trade days

Crafts and cooks from the southern islands will be out to tempt paddlers with their goods and foods this coming week in Rarotonga.

Special trade days organised to coincide with Vaka Eiva will focus on the pa enua, with people from Mauke, Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Mangaia and Atiu set to send over their products for the market days.

The goods and grub will be put up for offer over two days this week at the grassed area across from the Banana Court in Avarua.

On Thursday November 24 and Friday November 25, the market will open up from 8am and stay open until around 2pm on each day.

On Thursday night, the traders will also open in the evening at the same location, from 6pm until 9pm.

The local Takuvaine-Tutakimoa community will join their outer island cousins at the markets, offering up their cooking and products alongside them as part of a monthly market that they hold in the same area.

With some of the products still to be confirmed, the outer islands have given some indications of what they will have up for grabs in Rarotonga.

Mauke is bringing a variety of foods and crafts to the capital island for the trade days. Their list of goods so far include: ei maire, baskets with different sizes and prices, Mauke Miracle Oil (Akari Pi) different sizes and prices, kikau brooms, wooden kitchen utensils made from tamanu, Mauke popular ei katu and kaki, hand printed pareu in the Mauke style, puakanio ta renga with taro, and puaka with rukau and taro veo.

Mitiaro will also bring a huge range to eat and keep, including the following: piere at various sizes and prices, akari auai, akari maramite, akari vanilla, akari ira, akari tiare, beach mats, coconut shells, kete, mobile shells, salad bowls, raw fish bowls and table mats.

Mangaias representatives will send some carved small adze, baskets and some ei pupus, with Atiu promising taro and possibly more.

Trade day organisers at the Business Trade and Investment Board say that the products may change between now and the time the markets are held, so the best way for people to see whats on offer is to come along on the day and see for yourself.