Hula and kai as Cook Islands locals celebrate language week and independence anniversary

Drumming, singing, dance and food were features of a celebration of Cook Islands Language Week in Whanganui on Friday.

About 40 people gathered at the Te Puna Wai Ora Church Hall in Puriri St, on the 52nd anniversary of Cook Islands independence from New Zealand.

The islanders were joined by guests. The formal side of the festivities began about 5.15 with people "just rolling in, Island-time".

"We are going to have good fun tonight. There will be a couple of hulahulas for us, which will please the old gentlemen round the back here," community elder Tom Webb said.

Among the guests were John and Wynne Brown, who lived on Rarotonga from 1985-88, when John managed a bank at Avarua.

"It's a place we will never forget. Even now I would love to go back and do it all again. Thank you for allowing us to come and be part of the celebration," Mr Brown said.

Gail Harrison, from the Whanganui Learning Centre, welcomed the group to continue using the centre.

"Language is the key to us all, and your first language is so important," she said.

Jayson Herewini spoke of his work supporting Pacific Island youth into jobs. Another visitor had come to return support shown to a Cook Islands group at Porangahau.

Organiser Teena Lawrence hopes the celebration will strengthen a new trust and lead to more Cook Islands culture and activities. She said everybody had a really good time but she wanted more young people.

"Pretty much all our elders were there. The young Cook Islands people we are still trying to reach. We will have to have a celebrity, or a cool sports day, next time."

Guest Esther Pilato wants to get involved, but doesn't have much time.

She said her father was born on Aitutaki but came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of 7. He was encouraged to learn English, lost his Cooks Islands Māori, and had to relearn it in later life.

Miss Pilato is also learning the language, as well as studying midwifery through Otago Polytechnic. She said she had been to the Cook Islands several times as an adult and she and son Joshua, 12, loved the relaxed lifestyle.

"As soon as I stepped off the plane I felt like it was home. I absolutely loved it, and want to go back and work there eventually," she said.

Ms Lawrence is offering Cook Islands workshops in language, craft and tracing family trees. Some will be available, for free, during Adult Learners' Week in September.

Interested people can contact her on 021 1125 813.