Each Puna on Rarotonga received a cash grant of $1,000 to support a pre-nominated community project. Members of the Vaka Pride committee with the team at CI Tourism finalised their Puna presentations with the remaining 4 Puna last Friday the 29th of May.

“I believe that Vaka Pride is a good thing because it acknowledges individuals and groups doing good work in the community and we can give them something to continue on that great work” states Vaka Pride committee member, Aketairi Roberts from the Ministry of Agriculture. Over the last two weeks the awards presentations were delivered to the remaining Puna of Murienua, Akaoa, Nikao/Panama, RAPA, Tupapa/Maraerenga, Ngatangiia and Matavera.

Murienua coordinator, Ana Maine indicated that their winning funds would go towards their, “Kare e Namu” project to beautify the area and to eliminate mosquito breeding sites which she states is, “another crisis that is currently happening”. When asked about the activities of the Puna, Maine answered, “Murienua Puna reaches out to our community, especially those who don’t understand what to do in this time of crisis.”

Akaoa Puna coordinator, Keu Mataroa confirmed that their Vaka Pride funds will go towards purchasing torches, vests and essential gear to assist with the “preparedness, response, security and protection of the village.” “Our nominated project will amplify the security for the residents of Akaoa and will also contribute towards the National Response Efforts during the COVID-19 crisis” added Mataroa as he acknowledged the Vaka Pride committee.

Chairman for the Ngatangiia Puna, Ina Tararo, said “the extra money that we receive from the Vaka Pride will go towards the upgrade of the water station in Muri to ensure safe drinking water for the people in the area.”  Similarly, Nikao/Panama and the Matavera Puna will use their Vaka Pride funds towards an upgrade of their water stations for the communities and the general public. “The Vaka Pride funds will go towards completing and maintaining the Panama water station ensuring the community has access to clean adequate water” shared Nikao/Panama Puna co-chair, Daryl Rairi.

RAPA Puna on the other hand plans to use their Vaka Pride funds on the community centres in their puna. “The meeting houses have long been the pride and centre of activity in our two main Tapere in the Puna”, said RAPA Puna lead, Terry Utanga. “The funds received from the Vaka Pride programme will go towards the upgrade of security lighting, ensuring electrical fittings are safe and are in good working condition so that the general area is safe and secure” he added.

“These funds will go towards assisting with slashing and cleaning of Namu (mosquito) breeding grounds as we still have a lot of this to cover under operation Namu” declared Tupapa Puna Lead, Kopurei Anguna. “This crisis has highlighted that we have many vulnerable families within our Puna and our focus is to assist all these vulnerable families” mentioned Anguna as she shared the highlights of their work in Tupapa.  Anguna acknowledged Vaka Pride by saying, “We are very grateful for this very generous monetary gift from Vaka Pride which will go towards a valuable project.”

“This acknowledgement round of Vaka Pride will set up the Puna for the next round scheduled for the end of June which will be a friendly and fun competition to reward those community groups who go the extra mile for their community” stated Vaka Pride coordinator, Sieni Tiraa. For more Vaka Pride information please see the Kia Orana Values Facebook page or contact Sieni Tiraa: [email protected] or +682 29435