Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna Trust
Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna Trust, committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Cook Islands, has announced its support for the successful eight recipients, awarding a total of $78,500 in grants.
ESTABLISHMENT


Recipients of Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna, the Cook Islands Traditional Arts Trust, signed the grant funding agreements. MELINA ETCHES/24051314
Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna Trust, committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Cook Islands, has announced its support for the successful eight recipients, awarding a total of $78,500 in grants.
Each recipient has indicated their dedication, striving to ensure that the vibrant heritage of the country remains alive for future generations to cherish.
Trust manager Vania Kenning-Tangaroa signed the grant funding agreements with each successful recipient at a special function held on Friday last week.
The successful applicants for the grant fund include Hut 24 – Papa Ngarima George – for a publication of traditional Māori medicine; Te Papa Aliki o Te Ulu o te Watu represented by Tingika Elikana and Pio Ravarua – for documenting/preserving traditional chants and songs of Pukapuka/Nassau; CC Tamure Fitness represented by Mona Taio – revitalising culture, language and health; Vaka Takitumu schools represented by Raewyn Morgan and Maui Joseph (Apii Takitumu will purchase a drum set and Titikaveka College will replace their ka’ara school bell) and Te Vananga Are Tapere o Takitumu, represented by James Puati, for creating and building digital capacity for their organisation.
Te Kōpapa Reo Māori, also a recipient, was represented by Vae Papatua who announced that the grant would be used for Project Tuatua'ia te Reo Māori for media promotional work on television and in print media as a way to generate momentum and attention to Reo Māori language.
In addition, Te Rito o Taku Peu Tupuna hosted the Cook Islands Autism Society to view their three art pieces on display at Te Rito and the CIC Ocean Research Ltd offices.
Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna, the Cook Islands Traditional Arts Trust, was established in 2020. The trust is a cultural collaboration funded by CIC Ocean Research, a Cook Islands-based seabed minerals exploration company.