Te Emo Aito Māori fruit-carrying races will be held this afternoon following the official opening of Te Maeva Nui 2024 at 12.30pm at the Avarua Town Centre.

The official opening will feature an opening address by Prime Minister Mark Brown and the popular float parade.

Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) is excited to introduce the Emo Aito Māori event through an exhibition running competition “that not only enhances our knowledge on traditional sports as we know it today but also helps preserve the importance of our heritage and culture”.

Secretary of Tauranga Vananga Emile Kairua wants to build up the event which already has Aotearoa New Zealand and Hawai’i travelling to Tahiti for its Heiva Tu’aro Maohi traditional games, so that it becomes an international product for the Cook Islands.

Secretary of Tauranga Vananga, Emile Kairua wants to build up the event so that it becomes an international product for the Cook Islands.

The traditional games already attract participants from Aotearoa New Zealand and Hawai’i to Tahiti for its Heiva Tu’aro Maohi.

“It would be good if we could run our own circuit here … it has a huge following in Tahiti,” said Kairua.

“This will be the first time and we will try it for a taste of things to come.”

Emo Aito Māori will be Tauranga Vananga’s feature event during the Cook Islands Games in October this year.

Kairua expressed that ultimately the best traditional games competitors will be selected from the Cook Islands Games to represent the nation at the Tahiti and Hawaii traditional games.

Meanwhile the floats will be assembled along the main road (seaside) at Avarua Harbour for pre-judging at 11.30am

Cook Islands Police have advised that the flow of traffic in town will be affected from this morning by the float parade and official opening.

Motorists should be aware that driving is likely to be affected from 10am with a road closure at the St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral intersection through to the Business Trade and Investment Board (BTIB). 

By 11.30am, further stoppages and diversions will get underway at the Avatiu roundabout, and the town entry points from Beachcomber to Avarua roundabout. 

Anyone wishing to exit town should do so well beforehand and incoming spectators are also advised to organise parking in advance.