Événements

The most important event in the Cook Islands calender is the annual celebration of self rule, granted in 1965. Formerly called the Constitution Celebrations, it was renamed in 2001 because the Prime Minister of the time 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". Each year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands gather at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga to present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for that particular year. It's also a time when the creative community of the Cook Islands gathers on the capital island, contemporary and traditional visual arts exhibitions are staged, and ancient and modern sports are played between the islands. Other events during the festival include coconut husking, and a Maori food festival.