Vendors are emphasising the importance of promoting and selling local products and urging consumers to support local businesses and artisans, at the annual Trade Days held at the Punanga Nui Market.

The three-day event sponsored by Bank of Cook Islands and Business Trade and Investment Boards ends today.

Held under the theme “Grow Local, Buy Local”, this year’s Trade Days has attracted over 90 vendors from Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, showcasing and selling a variety of crafts and food.

Mehau Piho has been in the pearl business for over 30 years and is a regular at the Trade Days, selling her products from her stall A&M Pearls.

Piho sells a variety of Manihiki pearls that come from her family farm on the island of Manihiki.

She encourages visitors and tourists to always ask pearl sellers where their pearls come from.

“I always let everybody know that there are a number of us selling our own products but there are some who do have a lot of imports like from Tahiti,” Piho said.

“Because they (tourists) look for Cook Islands pearls, so whoever is selling should know their product and be honest with what they sell.”

Tarani Crafts’ Sharon Connal and her nephew Papa on day two of the BCI Trade Days yesterday at the Punanga Nui Market. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/24080102

Piho said that some vendors are buying pearls directly from the farmer, while only a few vendors have their own farms.

“I sell my own pearls here on Trade Days and I have been doing it for years. I like to sell my own product instead of having somebody else to sell. I prefer doing it myself.”

Piho added that the Trade Days have been good and they have made some sales.

She sells black pearl jewelleries, pareu and hats at her A&M Pearls stall.

Tarani Crafts’ Sharon Connal says she loves Trade Days because it is an opportunity for Cook Islands, especially for local women, to display their unique talents and promote their local businesses.

Tarani Crafts, located next to the Empire Cinema in Avarua, is one of the regulars at the Trade Days.

Connal said business picked up on day two yesterday and they managed to sell most of their authentic rito eii katu, rito baskets and necklaces.

“I love Trade Days ... it’s good, it helps showcase the talents of local people and promote local business and small business.”

Larry Tumai, who has been part of the Trade Days since 2022, collects and prepares shells for his handmade jewelleries.

Larry Tumai at his Terima Rave stall. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/24080103

At his Terima Rave (meaning handmade) stall, he has a variety of seashell jewelleries on display. He made these jewelleries from shells found around Rarotonga’s beaches and purchased some unique ones from Penrhyn.

“I buy shells from local vendors and make them into necklaces,” he said.

Tumai is encouraging Cook Islanders to use their talents and use local material to make local products for their business.

“We have got local materials … don’t expect things to walk to you, go out there and use local products for business. We talk about keeping our culture alive but keep it alive by using local products.”

Tumai said he mostly sells his products online.

The BTIB Trade Day will be held from 8.30am to 2pm and ends today.