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Te
Maeva Nui Festival 40
Te Maeva Nui o te Basileia,
Celebrating a Nation
Friday, 29 July ~ Sunday 7 August
2005
This year the Cook Islands marks 40 years of self-government.
This milestone will be marked in the country’s
annual Te Maeva Nui Celebrations, once known as the
Constitution Celebrations and started back in 1965
to celebrate self-government. The Constitution Celebrations
was renamed Te Maeva Nui in 2001 at the encouragement
of former prime minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry who wanted
a Cook Islands Maori name to capture the essence and
joy of the annual festival.
Te Maeva Nui translates as “the major or most
important celebration” and reflects the significance
the Cook Islands places on the annual festival. Each
year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer
islands of the Cooks group gather at the National
Auditorium to present new dances, songs, drum beats
and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen
for that particular year. It is truly a magnificent
display of the highest standards portraying the performing
arts of the Cook Islands. In addition, it is a time
when the creative community of the Cook Islands is
gathered on Rarotonga and when contemporary and traditional
visual arts exhibitions are staged, traditional and
contemporary sports are played between the islands
as part of the celebrations.
An opening float parade
on 29 July and Mardi
gras on the 7 August
through the main township of Avarua add to the spectacular
display of colour and festive atmosphere. The vibrant
culture of the Cook Islands will be showcased at its
best between 29 July to 7 August in a special celebration
of a nation.
Theme
A simple but expressive theme has been chosen for
this year’s 40th Te Maeva Nui Festival, marking
40 years of self-government: Te Maeva Nui o te Basileia,
Celebrating a Nation.
Under that main theme will the sub-theme to help
guide and inspire competing dance groups with their
compositions: Akararangi I Toku Tupuranga
-- Celebrating My Heritage
There are six categories for teams to work with ~
::
Peu Tupuna ~
Traditional Customs
::
Porotiki ~
Politics
::
Evangelia ~
Religion
::
Kopu Tangata ~
Genealogies/Family Structure
::
Reo Maori ~
Maori Language
::
Tarekareka Tipoti
~ Sports
History of the festival
The former name of Constitution Celebrations
was changed back around 1994 at the request of then
prime minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry. “Government
wanted a Maori translation for the Celebrations, something
that would capture the essence of our annual festival
and convey in our language that it is an event to
celebrate self-governance and our Cook Islands culture.
Te Maire Maeva Nui was first used, but was a bit of
tongue twister and could be confused with Te Maire
Nui, the 1992 Pacific Arts Festival held in Rarotonga,
therefore the name was changed to Te Maeva Nui in
2001. Annual themes are based on clearly defined cultural
themes for all teams to work with.
He says over the years these themes
have changed to show the progression and development
of Cook Islands culture captured in the original items
performed by the teams. This began with the 2002 theme
Te Kapuanga o Toku Enua e Toku Matakeinanga
– The Origins of My Island and Tribal Heritage.
Celebration
of a Nation: a celebration in print
This year’s Te Maeva Nui celebrations
look to be the biggest and most event-filled ever
to commemorate 40 years of self-government and this
year’s celebrations will be unparalleled with
many special events being staged along with the normal
programme of events. A special book to celebrate our
culture of performing arts: Celebration of
a Nation will be on sale soon.
Programme: Te Maire Maeva
Nui 40
Friday, 29 July – Sunday
7 August 2005
| Friday |
29 July |
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Opening Day |
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10:00am
11:00am
12:00noon
1:00pm
4:00pm
7:00pm
10:30pm |
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Floats assemble at Avatiu Wharf
Official carriage of torches (40)
Official Opening Ceremony
Floats proceeds through town
Cultural performances at Centre Stage (Outer
Island Groups)
Concert at Auditorium: Visiting Artists from
Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne/Sydney/Tahiti/Hawaii
Cultural Performances, Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar |
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| Saturday |
30 July |
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Day 1: PUNANGANUI |
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9:00am
10:00am
12:00noon
1:00pm
7:30pm
10:30pm |
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Performance by Visiting Singers/Artist
TARERE TANGI KAARA
Cultural Performance by Overseas Visiting Groups
One day Rugby Sevens at Tupapa Park: Outer Islands
Trophy
TARERE KAPA NUI – Night One: 1st Night
Competition – Auditorium
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
Cultural Performances: Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar |
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| Sunday |
31 July |
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Day 3 |
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10:00am
7:00pm |
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Church Services around Rarotonga
CHOIR COMPETITION (Auditorium Cultural Centre)
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| Monday |
1 August |
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Day 4 |
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10:00am
12:00noon
7:30pm
10:30pm |
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Cultural
Performances
Visiting/Local Groups
(Main outside stage – Avarua Harbour)
Cultural Performance – Local Groups
(CITC Car park)
Art Exhibition (Cultural Centre)
Traditional Food Making
Opposite Banana Court
Island: Rakahanga/Manihiki
Photo Display
Tourism Lounge (Main Office – Avarua)
Craft & Canoe Building – Avarua Central
(Opposite CITC Main Store)
7:30pm TARERE KAPANUI – Night Two
(2nd Night Competition – Auditorium)
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
Cultural Performances: Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar |
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| Tuesday |
2 August |
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Day 5 |
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10:00am
11:00am
4:00pm
7:30pm
10:30pm |
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School Students Program (Avarua Town)
Coconut Tree Climbing Competition (Banana Court
Area)
Cultural Performance (Main Stage)
Visiting/Local Groups
Traditional Food Making – Opposite Banana
Court
Islands: Penrhyn/Pukapuka
Art Exhibition – Cultural Centre
Photo Display – Tourism Lounge
Canoe/Craft Making – Avarua Central
(Opposite CITC Main Store)
One Day Rugby League Competition
(Outer Islands Trophy)
TARERE KAPANUI – Night Three
(3rd Night Competition – Auditorium)
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
Cultural Performances: Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar |
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| Wednesday |
3 August |
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Day 6: PUNANGANUI
day 2 |
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8:00am
10:00am
4:00pm
7:30pm
10:30pm |
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Food
Stalls/Craft Display
(All Islands) – Punanganui
Cultural Performances / Visiting Bands
(Visiting Groups/Artists)
Punanganui Stage
Art Exhibition – Cultural Centre
Photo Display – Tourism Lounge
Main Office – Avarua
Canoe/Craft Making
Avarua Central opposite CITC Main Store
Craft Display: Punanganui Market
Young Sailors / Sailing Competition
Muri Beach
Rugby Union – Outer Islands
Competition – One Day Event
TARERE KAPANUI – Night Four
(4th Night Competition – Auditorium)
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
Cultural Performances: Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar |
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| Thursday |
4 August |
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Day 7: CONSTITUTION
DAY |
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10:00am
4:00pm
7:00pm
9:00pm
10:30pm |
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“Oe Vaka” Competition
Long Canoes – Avana Harbour
Small Canoes – Avarua Harbour
Cultural Performances/Band/Singers
(Outside Stage One – Avarua)
Coconut Climbing – Demonstration
Coconut Husking Demonstration & Competition
Traditional Vaka Display
“Vaka Te Au O Tonga” – Avarua
Harbour
Film “Matinee” – Children
(Empire Theatre)
Uniform Organisations/Visiting Groups
Volunteers Parade – Start CICC Ground,
Avarua
Official Ceremony – Refer to Program
Cultural Display (Dancers/Singers)
Seaside Performance (Next to Trader Jacks)
FIREWORKS
Fire Dance Display – Centre Stage
Island Night at the Banana Court
String band Competition – 1 night only
Cultural Performances at the Waterfront Bar
and
Coco Bar
Disco – Under 21 – Empire Theatre |
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| Friday |
5 August |
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Day 8 |
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11:00am
12:00noon
4.00pm
7.30pm
10:30pm |
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All visiting teams depart Culture Centre
March trough town to Te Atukura Grounds
Government Reception – Feast
Cultural Performances by each Island Group
Art Exhibition – Cultural Centre
Photo Display – Tourism Lounge
Craft & Canoe Building – Central Avarua
Soccer Tournament – Tupapa Park
TARERE KAPANUI – Night Five
(5th Night Competition – Auditorium)
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
Cultural Performances: Banana Court, Waterfront,
Coco Bar
Under 21 Disco – Empire Theatre |
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| Saturday |
6 August |
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Day 9 |
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10:00am
1:00pm
7:30pm
9:30pm
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QUEEN CARNIVAL
Taputapuatea to Punanganui
Cultural Performances at Punanganui
Crowning of Queen
Singers/Artists/Band at Punanganui Market
Drummers Exhibition
Winners of the Tangi Kaara Competition
Winners – Stringband Competition
Canoe Racing – Avarua Wharf
Yacht Racing – Muri Lagoon
7:30pm TARERE KAPANUI – Night Six
(6th Night Competition – Auditorium)
Pee, Ute, Ura Pau, Kapa Rima
9:30pm Cultural Performances
Banana Court, Waterfront, Coco Bar
Under 21 Disco – Empire Theatre |
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| Sunday |
7 August |
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Day 10 |
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9:00am
5:00pm
9:00pm
10:00pm |
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Church Services around Rarotonga
Church Service at Auditorium
IMENE TUKI COMPETITION
Prize Giving
Closing Ceremony |
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CONSTITUTIONAL CELEBRATIONS
Videos
This year the Cook Islands celebrated
it's 36 years of self governing with the theme of
"embracing one's culture and environment".
The festivities for the week were a great success
attracting overseas cultural groups from Lifou, New
Caledonia, the Marquesas and Torres Strait. First
time participants for this event included the Cook
Islands Samoan and Fijian communities. Plans for next
year are underway with the event expected to be even
bigger with the theme of "The Beginning".
Photographs from the 2001 Maire Maeva
Nui (Constitution Celebrations) Dance Festival, the
Choir Competition and the matinee performances at
Punanga Nui Marketplace
The Ministry of Cultural Development
is now taking orders for the video coverage of this
year's event. Orders can be made by emailing on culture1@oyster.net.ck
or by faxing (682) 23725.
VIDEOS AVAILABLE
a) TAPE 1 CULTURAL COMPETITION $40 NZ
b) TAPE 2 CULTURAL COMPETITION $40 NZ
c) TAPE 3 HIGHLIGHTS $40 NZ
FORMATS
a) PAL For NZ, Australia, Europe, Pacific at the
above price
b) NTSC For U.S., Canada, Japan an additional $10
to the above price
POSTAGE
a) Area 1 To NZ, Australia & Pacific, an additional
$10 to the above price
b) Area 2 To the rest of the world an additional $15
to the above price
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