Excerpt and photo from auckland.ac.nz

Some 80,000 Cook Islands diaspora call Aotearoa home, making the Land of the Long White Cloud unofficially the largest island of the Cooks.

Tangatakiikii Pauline Teura’atua-Rupeni (Rarotonga, Atiu/Enuamanu, Raiatea – Tahiti) is head of the University’s South Auckland campus Te Papa ako o Tai Tonga. She says connection is key to maintaining both a strong sense of self and family ties.

In the southern islands of the Cook Islands archipelago Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro, are called the Ngā pu toru islands (meaning three roots) and referring to the strong family ties of their ariki (chiefs.)

At home in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the Ngā pu toru communities gather annually to celebrate Gospel Weekend, showcasing the arrival of Christianity on their islands.

“It’s a great way to learn our language, learn our history and traditions, as well as eat some good island food! So if you’re ever lucky enough to be invited I would suggest you go along and the enjoy the day,” says Teura’atua-Rupeni who is proudly on her language learning journey.