Kuki Airani Ki Te Ao festival makes its debut in Māngere
An estimated 8,000 people packed into the Māngere Town Centre carpark for Kuki Airani Ki Te Ao, a Cook Islands Language Week festival celebrating culture, food and business, with organisers already promising it will become an annual fixture.
The event brought together 40 food and market vendors, 34 of them Cook Islands owned, alongside performances from well-known Cook Islands DJs and artists. Organiser Madeline Tavai says the idea grew from a simple wish to support the community through tough times.
"Times are hard and Cook Islands Language Week provided an opportunity to bring our Cook Islands people together to see, support and shine a light on Cook Islands small businesses," Madeline says.
The festival was driven by three people, Kaiui from Manea Steak Rolls, DJ Giddy and Rahui Tautape (pictured below right), who used their platforms and community connections to bring artists, bands and cultural groups on board.
Darren handled event and entertainment permits while Madeline managed vendor administration and relationships. Sponsors included Manea Steak Rolls, 5 Star Eats, Transformative Whakamana Hapu Foundation, the Cook Islands Development Agency and Pacifica Arts Centre NZ.
Highlights included a performance from a local Māngere dance group, a solo set from Mini Miss Aotearoa, the first Pacific Islander and Cook Islander to hold the title, and words of support from Cook Islands Consul General Keu Mataroa.
Behind the scenes, the small team funded much of the event themselves after funding timelines failed to line up in time.
"There was no way we were going to let money be the reason this day wasn't a success," Madeline says.
For Madeline, the event was about more than entertainment. Vendors shared traditional knowledge alongside their goods, including one who used the day to pass on plant medicine practices from Cook Islands ancestors. Feedback from the day centred on identity, pride, belonging and connection.
"The blessing is in the continuing," Madeline says. "This is not a one-off, it will be an annual event for the Cook Islands community in Māngere, South Auckland, and beyond. Our culture, our language, our faith."
With the Rugby League World Cup approaching, the team is already looking at ways to bring the community together again. As Madeline puts it, unity is where their strength is.
For more information, head to https://www.instagram.com/kuki_airani_ki_te_ao/
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