The appeal of reconnecting with family, learning more about genealogy and the culture while enjoying sport with island pride certainly does entice Cook Islanders overseas to return home to participate in the Cook Islands Games.

Kobe Te Maui Tararo, his father Tehiotu Tararo, and mother Melissa Williams have done just that, flying in from Brisbane, Australia to represent Mauke Akatokamanava.

Twenty-five-year-old Kobe is a semi-professional rugby league player for the South’s Logan Magpies in Brisbane.

“The most exciting thing for me is seeing all the family, my Mauke family,” says Kobe.

He is thrilled to be playing for Mauke in the league 9s, touch rugby, sevens, handball and basketball.

Kobe participated in the last Cook Islands Games two years ago for Mauke in league 9s and touch.

He is excited to participate in the 2024 Games again, thanks to a cousin who informed him when the event would take place again.

“I booked my ticket and made sure I had to come.”

Born and raised in Brisbane, where there is a big Mauke community, Kobe says he has learned a lot about Cook Islands culture.

But he feels that many of the mapu and tamariki in Brisbane only know “watered down culture stuff”.

“A lot of us don’t really know our roots and our tupuna,” says Kobe.

“I started learning about our culture when I was about 13. For me I had the mamas who helped bring me up and they pretty much instilled all the culture into me and when I come over here it’s just like adding to it.

“I just love our Cook Islands culture and we’re one of the smallest nations in Pasifika.

“I love coming back to the island, to Mauke, to my roots and learning more about our culture, and when I see the kids and the young ones, I love being around them and hearing them speak te reo.”

Since 2022, he made a pledge to himself to return to Rarotonga and Mauke every year.

Last year, he attended Mauke’s 200^th anniversary of the Arrival of the Gospel Celebrations.

“That was the best experience learning our history,” he said.

His father Tehiotu will be competing in table tennis and mixed touch, and his mum Melissa will be featuring in mixed touch.

Siblings Tommy and Lily Pierre are both excited to be participating in the Cook Islands Games for the first time, representing Manihiki. MELINA ETCHES/24100401

Siblings Lily (17 years) and Tommy Pierre (15 years) arrived in Rarotonga this week and are both “excited” to be participating in the Cook Islands Games for the first time, representing Manihiki.

Born and raised in Rarotonga, the Pierre siblings and their parents Raynor Gempton and Matthew Tutangata Pierre moved to Napier, New Zealand, in 2019.

This is their first trip back home.

Lily attends Napier Girls High School and plays netball, volleyball and handball in New Zealand.

During the Cook Islands Games, she will be competing in touch rugby, beach volleyball, handball and netball.

“I watched the previous Cook Islands Games and it looked really cool so I thought it would be nice if I had a go and played in it,” says Lily.

“On our way here, I felt a bit nervous but now I’m here I’m really excited and looking forward to the Games.”
Tommy will be participating in basketball, handball, cycling, volleyball and touch rugby.

“It’s always good to be back home,” says Tommy. “I’m looking forward to having lots of fun and enjoying the moment.”

The siblings are looking forward to meeting family members and friends while they are on the island.

Their blood ties to Manihiki are through their mother Raynor, their maternal grandmother mother Teinaki “Puna” Iokopeta Napara, and great-grandfather Tihau Nehemia Napara.

On their paternal side, their father Mathew Pierre hails from Rarotonga and Nga Pu Toru. Their grandfather is Tamarii Tutangata.