To kick off the phase they have launched a heartfelt video featuring Cook Islanders who capture the essence of this value. Mana Tiaki denotes the Mana or Responsibility that has been given to all of us as Tiaki or Guardians of our Little Paradise. In the Kia Orana Community campaign, the Mana Tiaki phase is about us playing our roles as Tiaki to refresh our tourism industry, and work together to prepare for the reopening of our borders.

The Vaka Pride committee conducted their judging for the period of July – October on Tuesday the 29th of October. The Vaka Pride community initiative aims to assist with the preservation and conservation efforts, revival of traditional practices as well as rewarding individuals or groups who contribute to significant community activities to maintain their good work.

The Vaka Pride committee visited six different flower gardens nominated by the public as well as six community clinics around the island under the Peu Maori category. Points towards the Peu Maori category will be dependent on the preservation of traditional practices, environmental innovations, overall maintenance and community effectiveness of programmes.

“The Vaka Pride programme seeks to address the social, environmental and cultural issues that impact our people including our tourism industry” said Destination Development Coordinator, Sieni Tiraa from Cook Islands Tourism.

The winners under the three categories for the Vaka Pride programme, Akono I te Ao Rangi, Tupuranga Tangata and Peu Maori each highlight areas that impact the tourism industry.

“The Vaka Pride programme helps  address the social, environmental and cultural issues that impact our people including our tourism industry”” said Destination Development Coordinator, Sieni Tiraa from Cook Islands Tourism.

The winners under the three categories for the Vaka Pride programme, Akono I te Ao Rangi, Tupuranga Tangata and Peu Maori each highlight areas that impact the tourism industry.

This community programme mirrors the Vaka Pride for Rarotonga, Te Vaka o Ru for Aitutaki, Te Ieie O Te Orau for Mauke as an effective multi-agency platform
established for tourism and community development. The students of Apii Enuamanu held a competition to finalise their community programme name which was announced during a special assembly.

This programme rewards and acknowledges individuals and community groups working towards our principles under the Mana Tiaki Value. These principles capture the essence of those who are guardians and caretakers of our environment, culture and people. This valuable programme is steered by a multi-agency committee who nominates people and groups within the community every four months who actively and continuously showcase the value of Mana Tiaki.

The Peu Maori category looks at areas such as planting, traditional practices, cleaning of public facilities and historical sites. For this round of the competition, the judging was focused on the school garden programmes who work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. These schools included Apii Takitumu, Apii Te Uki Ou, Apii Arorangi, and Apii Avarua.