Helena Strickland gave a heart wrenching presentation as she played guitar and sang her own composition of life in her home island, Manihiki.
Piritau Nga backed by his brother Sam on guitar dedicated his number to his Papa Rau Nga and grandmother, who passed away last week.   This young lad, all of 14, brought the crowd to tears as he sang a tender farewell to Mama Miriama.
The Harmony Bros showed huge personality and stage presence as they gave their rendition of well-known negro spirituals.
A diminutive, budding Pavarotti, Ridge Ponini, was given a standing ovation as he sang O Sole Mio.   What a wonderful voice, completely untrained as yet.  Ridge is set to attend university in New Zealand to begin his musical training.     

Mike Tavioni who organized the event, explained that he met Temuera on the set of the BBC production Tatou which was filmed locally as well as in New Zealand.   Mike and Tem believe that neither the New Zealand Maori nor Cook Islands traditions were culturally portrayed correctly.    After Tem read a couple of Mike’s stories, ‘The Stove’ and  ‘Take me Home’, he suggested they work together and produce them into movies.
Unfortunately due to the extremely poor attendance they will need to have a ‘fundraiser’ to pay for this ‘fundraiser’.   They need a manager and events coordinator!

The staterooms of the Pa Ariki Palace opened to the public on Monday 08 December 2014.    Tall palm trees surround the Palace, and extensive lush green lawns run down to the main road. 
The palace was opened in 2009 as a private residence as well as for holding ceremonial occasions. 

Chantal Napa, Curator of the Museum, has made a small, but exciting beginning using the treasure trove of artifacts, memorabilia and photos from the personal collection of Pa Tepaeru Upokotini Ariki, the Paramount Chief of Vaka Takitumu.

The collection is a rich and relevant history of one of the Cook Island’s traditional leaders.

Chantal acknowledges that the collected works need to be extensively researched, archived, dated and labeled.  

When the Museum is officially opened in the New Year it will be a fitting recognition of not only Pa Ariki but also the House of Ariki, Koutu Nui and the traditions of the Cook Islands

The legacy left behind by our Cook Islands Grandmothers is evidenced in the beautiful and intricately embroidered Tivaevae (bedspreads) they bequeath to their daughters.
Taught to the local women by the wives of the Missionaries in the late 1800’s, this art has been developed into a spectacular tapestry of colour, shape and floral design.  
Creating Tivaevae continues to be a community centred activity, with women designing and sewing their bedspreads.   The women eat together, sing and talk about themselves, their families and the community.   At funerals Tivaevae are often used to cover the bed when the body is brought home prior to burial.   A woven pandanus mat or Tivaevae sometimes lines the grave or casket, or the Tivaevae may be draped over the casket and buried with the family member.
Tivaevae making is an important tradition in the Cook Islands. The wonderful Tivaevae exhibition, curated by two of our lovely Grandmothers, is a testimony to the love and dedication they have for our culture and family values.
Taorei is the name given to this particular display.   It is the most complicated process of quilting.  Bright pieces of material are torn into long strips, then cut into tiny squares, counted and colour co-ordinated.   They are then hand sewn together into decorative patterns.     
Revered Tivaevae Ta'unga (artisans) Tungane Broadbent and Vereara Maeva Taripo have created a charming showcase set in the Beachcomber Contemporary Art (BCA) Gallery.   Colourful bedspreads, embroidered cushions and pillowslips are displayed on old-fashioned iron bedsteads, and cane chairs, to reflect a drawing room and a bedroom of days gone by. 
The exhibition is open until the end of December.