Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development hosted the 2023 Te Maeva Nui Sponsors VIP Event at the Crown Beach Resort and Spa on Wednesday night.

The event was held to introduce the sponsors to this year’s programme and to acknowledge their appreciation. Sponsors for other Tauranga Vananga events – Te Mire Atu, Te Mire Ura, Te Mire Tiare and Tangi Kara – also attended Wednesday’s function.

In her welcoming speech, Sharna Matapuku, the sponsorship, media and communications coordinator from Tauranga Vananga, expressed her appreciation to the sponsors for their valuable support, contributing to the continuity of culture and heritage in the Cook Islands.

CIC Ocean Research’s Shona Lynch, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors, acknowledged Tauranga Vananga’s values of Vaerua Taokotai (partnership and cooperation), Vaerua Taporoporo (accountability and transparent), Vaerua Akangateitei (respect and loyalty), Vaerua Aruaru (effectiveness and efficiency), Vaerua Aroa (kindness and generosity) and Vaerua Akamoeau (professionalism and equality).

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There are seven sponsorship tiers for this year’s Te Maeva Nui festival.

They are platinum ($15,000 plus), gold ($13,000-$14,999), silver ($7000-$12,999), bronze ($5000-$9999), brass ($3000-$4999), supporting sponsor ($1000-$2999) and family and friends ($500-$999).

The sponsors receive media coverage, VIP tickets, parking, tent spaces, and complimentary tickets among others.