By Melina Etches, Cook Islands News
Little darlings from Pukapuka Nassau are full of excitement to be in Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
Hundreds of Cook Islanders from the northern islands arrived in Rarotonga by sea to participate in the 2025 Te Maeva Nui celebrations, their arrival at Avatiu Harbour marked by emotional reunions and a heartwarming community effort to bring them ashore.
Over the weekend, Rarotonga was swept with emotion as close to 600 voyagers from the northern Pa Enua - Te Pae Tokerau - arrived at Avatiu Harbour.
Their arrival was a powerful and overwhelming moment for many, as the sound of Manihiki drums echoed across the water, and crowds on shore beamed with joy and pride.
It was a deeply moving sight - proud, resilient families from the north, travelling by sea, reunited with loved ones and joining the nation in celebrating 60 years of self-governance at this year's Te Maeva Nui, from July 25 to August 5.
Many of those who travelled include parents, the mamas and papas, and little children, all so happy to arrive in Rarotonga to celebrate Cook Islands culture together.
MV Nivaga III arrived on Sunday, docking in Avatiu Harbour at around 9am, carrying more of our people from Te Pae Tokerau – Pukapuka Nassau, and Palmerston Island – Avarau Enua. Pictured is cultural icon Pastor Ngarima George welcoming a Papa from Pukapuka. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
On Saturday around 5pm, the MV Taka-i-Pomana, a vessel from Tonga, arrived in Rarotonga carrying just over 200 passengers from Manihiki, Penrhyn and Rakahanga.
Although the original plan was for passengers to disembark on Sunday morning, they were adamant to come ashore sooner.
This posed some logistical challenges, with the cargo vessel Liloa still unloading at the port and the Taka-i-Pomana's ferry out of service.
From Pukapuka – Te Ulu O Te Watu, Tarai Ngarima and her son Junior Ngarima beam with joy after arriving for Te Maeva Nui. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development), Ports Authority and Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) along with local fishermen and community members, acted swiftly.
Together, they helped bring the passengers and cargo ashore - welcomed by the uplifting sounds of traditional Manihiki drumming and families waiting on shore.
Prime Minister Mark Brown was on hand to greet the arrivals, along with the three all-female MPs representing Manihiki - Akaiti Puna, Penrhyn - Sarakura Tapaitau, and Rakahanga - Tina Pupuke Browne.
The Cook Islands Government has allocated $4.1 million to support nationwide participation in the celebrations. This funding is being used to transport 935 residents from the southern and northern islands to Rarotonga by air and sea.
Kirianu “Dash” Nio, president of the Pukapuka Nassau Rarotonga community, warmly welcomes arriving passengers. He is pictured with Neiao Neiao. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
On Saturday, PM Brown said: "It's exciting. It's so heartwarming to see our people arriving after days at sea. This is the start of a very special celebration, about us, for us. It's fantastic to have all our communities from the islands here to join in our celebration."
Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Browne shared her enthusiasm, saying, "I'm so happy they are here. The celebration has truly begun," as the community prepared for the upcoming festivities.
Tauranga Vananga secretary Emile Kairua said, "I'm elated. This marks the end of our preparations and the beginning of a joyful celebration. Thanks to the fishing boats volunteers who helped facilitate the arrivals after the breakdown of the boat's ferry."
Manihiki's executive officer, Retiree Puapii, praised their safe passage, recounting the challenges of leaving their island on July 15.
Delegations from Pukapuka Nassau and Palmerston Island arriving in Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
"We are here; despite some hiccups, we are safe, and we're eager to kick off the celebrations. All we wanted was to come ashore today (Saturday), and we can't wait to get into the celebration mode after the motions in the ocean."
Puapii said another night on the boat was not desirable for them so they went to Plan B.
He added they were very well looked after on board, but after days at sea some were seasick and simply wanted a proper shower and a good sleep.
As daylight faded, the tugboat assisted in speeding up the transfer process. The first group disembarked just before 6pm, with the final passengers arriving by 7.40 pm.
All passengers were then transported to their accommodations: Tongareva to their hostel, with Takitumu School as an alternative; Rakahanga to Arorangi School; and Manihiki to their hostel.
On Sunday morning at 9am, the Nivaga III ship from Tuvalu arrived, docking in Avatiu Harbour, carrying more of our people from Te Pae Tokerau - Pukapuka Nassau, and Palmerston Island - Avarau Enua.
Over 300 people from Pukapuka-Nassau, also known as 'Te Ulu O Te Watu', will participate in the festival. They are anticipated to be the most genuine and unique group at Te Maeva Nui.
Their journey took four to five days by sea, with the youngest passenger a four-month-old baby.
Pukapuka Nassau Rarotonga community president in Kirianu "Dash" Nio, greeted the contingent.
"We will settle them in at the hostel and prepare for our welcome feast tomorrow evening (Monday July 21) at 6 pm," Nio said.
"Having them here is an overwhelming experience. This is different, very exciting, a different experience in terms of having them for real here on Rarotonga representing us."
From Manihiki Henua – Helina Williams (left) with her mother Winnie and brother Frederick Williams. Photo: Cook Islands News / Melina Etches
Josh Taio of Taio Shipping, agents for the Nivaga III, described the arrival operation as smooth.
"Once unloading is completed tomorrow (today), the vessel will return to Tuvalu, and we expect it back in August to take everyone home," Taio said.
He was delighted to see families from Te Pae Tokerau arrive to join the celebrations.
Reflecting on the occasion, Tunamailangi Likiliki, the chief executive officer for Tofa Ramsey Shipping, the Tongan inter-island passenger and cargo services, expressed pride in her crew's experience.
Likiliki asked her crew for feedback while they were sailing to Rarotonga. The crew said they were very happy with the courtesy from the people.
"The chanting and the singing on the vessels on the way here from Penrhyn to Rakahanga to Manihiki in both ports has been really inspirational for our crew. The spirit of everybody just working together, keeping the ship clean, enjoying all the food, no complaints, no demands, which is just an experience that they really appreciated. It just made everything a little bit more seamless and quite enjoyable for my crew."
Likiliki added that it was a privilege to meet Prime Minister Mark Brown and all the female MPs representing Rakahanga, Manihiki and Penrhyn.
"It's incredible to see that three MPs from the north are women," she said. "And your Prime Minister even came to greet us - that was an unexpected and deeply appreciated gesture."
The Taka-i-Pomana will remain in Rarotonga for the next two weeks before returning their passengers home to the north and back to the Kingdom of Tonga.
-This article was first published by Cook Islands News
