Cook Islands

Village Coordinator – Bernard Tairea

What are your village’s music highlights?

The Cook Islands stage is famous for its fabulous non-stop entertainment.  The community comes out in full force, with top class bands, singers, dancers and drummers to make the day a memorable one for all.  From start to finish it will be exciting in the Cook Islands village on Saturday and Sunday.

What are some must see activities?

Fast and elegant dances with great music will be on throughout both days, plus shows like the Cook Islands Symphony of the Drums and the Ukulele Symphony as highlights, in addition to the many other performing groups and bands. There are too many to name, so it’s best to come and see for yourself, listen and join in. Sunday highlights will be a mixture of faith-based activities and sounds of the bands and performers.

What’s a ‘must-try’ dish?

As main dishes there will be a combination of taro, chicken, pork, fish and goat to enjoy with kumara, banana, tapioca and salads prepared and cooked in Cook Islands ways. Don't go away without trying our famous and popular poke dishes in varieties such as poke maniota, poke taro, mauo, poke mangaro, poke varaoa pakapaka, poke motini, poke nita, poke meika, poke mangaro...and even poke Weet-Bix!

What’s a little-known fact about your country or Pasifika village?

Every year for the past few years, we have people who travelled from the Cooks especially to be part of our village as stallholders, performers and artists. We are also hosting performers from Australia, so a big thank you to them.

What else can you tell us about the village?

Activities in the Cook Islands village are full on and non-stop from start to finish. There will be food and drinks selling right up to closing time.

When did you join Pasifika?

The people of the Cooks have been active and lively participants at Pasifika since it started. The 2013 event will be the eleventh year for me as Village Coordinator.

What does the community think about Pasifika?

The Cook Islands people love Pasifika, with the full on stage programme and people coming from overseas, and especially the Cooks itself.

Any last words?

Take your time and don’t rush – there will be plenty of food, pineapple desserts and Cook Island fruit drinks to enjoy while you view and experience our performances.