For the first time, CIC Ltd & Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna have signed up as platinum sponsors ($15k plus) for Te Maeva Nui, the biggest and best national cultural event held each year to celebrate the August 4 birthday of the Cook Islands as an independent nation.

Acting secretary for Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture), Justina Nicholas said, “We are happy to have CIC Ltd on board with us this year and we are looking forward to our cultural festival performances, thank you for your support.”

Shona Mato Lynch, the Country Manager for the CIC Ocean Research, a Cook Islands based seabed minerals exploration company said, “thank you for this opportunity to support our peu tupuna, we are honoured to be part of the team this year.”

Along with the license for research, Mato Lynch said “through Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna we want to put money into the country now, in support of peu Maori and culture.

“We felt that it is timely that we put something into our performing arts like Te Maeva Nui.”

Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna, the Cook Islands Traditional Arts Trust was established in 2020. The trust is a cultural collaboration funded by CIC Ocean Research, a Cook Islands based seabed minerals exploration company.

Some highlights of the Arts Trust has been the design of Te Mana o te Vaka project between carver Mike Tavioni and the Cook Islands Voyaging Society and the publishing of Tavioni’s book ‘The Rising Sun’.

The theme for Te Maeva Nui is ‘Te Au Manu Puapinga a Toku Matakei’nanga/ Enua – The important animals and birds of my tribe/islands’.   

Since many of the islands and communities are extremely busy this year with the 200 year anniversary of Te Arikianga o te Evangelia, Arrival of the Gospel celebrations less teams will be competing, they are: Vaka Puaikura, Vaka Tereora College, Mangaia, Atiu, Manihiki and Pukapuka Nassau.

Te Maeva Nui celebrations will open on Monday July 31 with the Imene Tuki and the Choir performances at Te Are Kariori, Tuesday 1 and Wednesday August 2 are cultural nights , August 3 is the International Night, Friday August 4 is Constitution Day, and the closing/prizegiving ceremony.

Tickets are on sale now ($20 reserve seating $10 General terrace $5 floor seating) in front of the BCI bank in town Monday to Friday from 9am - 2pm or at the National Library, and on Saturday’s at the Punanga Nui Market market stage 9am - 12noon.