Rakei Manava elevates Cook Islands cultural design to new heights

Record cash support from the corporate sponsors of the 2025 Rakei Manava design competition has provided a massive legacy boost of recognition for Cook Islands creative design, says Te Tauranga Vananga Secretary, Emile Kairua.

The 2025 Rakei Manava competition, which returned to the stage after six years, was held Friday night at Te Are Karioi Nui, celebrating top and emerging designers in four categories – The White Muumuu, Nature-inspired sections for male and female categories, and an open, innovation themed section.

“It was an incredible privilege to bring those whose hard work and vision is often the invisible aspect of the spectacular performance culture of this nation — we have seen so much of that work during the 60th Te Maeva Nui independence celebrations,” Kairua said.

“Thanks to CITC and the vision of CITC director, Diana Clarke-Bates, we’ve been given a special opportunity to bring all that backstage work into the spotlight and thank the creative minds who bring our culture to the stage.”

With VIP guests including Prime Minister Mark Brown, King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters and Culture Minister George Angene as well as corporate, private sector and NGO partners, the stage setting and backdrop provided a “transformative” and moving space for showcasing the individual head to toe detail of each design, culminating in designers taking the stage to escort their models for each of the 31 designs.

Taking to social media posts, models and designers reflected on the milestone significance of the event, coming in a year honouring six decades of Cook Islands sovereignty, cultural resilience and creative expression. Many designers including established, new and emerging, joined the Cultural Ministry in acknowledging the generous partnership of CITC whose cash sponsorship atop the usual vouchers has elevated the 2025 event and economic recognition of costume designers to new heights.

Competing across the four categories: Traditional Muumuu, Open Female/Male Costume, Natural Male Costume, and Natural Female Costume, the total prize pool exceeded $40,000. Judging duties went to a panel of three – Jackie Tuara-Newnham, Minar Henderson-Enoka and Papatua Papatua, while MC for the night was Rupe Rangatira, Janette Estall-Brown.

Among the standout winners was Petua Nicholas, whose first-place White Muumuu design earned $3000. Her three-piece collection honoured mamas, nanas and young women alike, blending traditional silhouettes with modern tailoring.

“Every stitch is a tribute to our heritage – elegant, effortless and full of meaning,” she shared. Her garments reflected comfort, grace and cultural identity, affirming the muumuu as a living canvas of Cook Islands femininity.

In the Natural Female Costume category, Rahui Tautape Samson took top honours with a $5000 prize. His design, Te Poerava o te Pa Henua Tokerau, wove together black pearls, rito and mother-of-pearl to honour the treasures of the Northern Group.

“These sacred fibres now return not just as garments, but as symbols of survival and the unbroken spirit of the Pa Henua Tokerau,” he declared. Samson also won the Open Female/Male Costume category, showcasing his versatility and deep cultural fluency.

Mareta Angene-Taana, another dual-category winner, placed first in Natural Male Costume and second in White Muumuu. Her bougainvillea-inspired designs celebrated unity, grace and spiritual strength, drawing on biblical verses and ancestral wisdom. Her work reminded young people that “your roots are your power, your history your guiding star”.

The competition also spotlighted emerging talents like Iffran Khan and Maara Teariki, students from Tereora College, whose Natural Male Costume “Te Toto ‘aka” symbolised the living bloodline of Cook Islanders. Their use of rau ‘ara, rito and pupu shells reflected a deep respect for nature and ancestry.

Toka Toka, aka Sugar, and friend Vicky, a dynamic design duo, earned second place in Natural Female Costume with “Te Vaine Toa”, a tribute to maternal strength. Their collaborative spirit and cross-island heritage – from Manihiki and Mangaia – embodied the unity and innovation at the heart of Rakei Manava.

Influences of nature, oceanic themes, shell craft and natural fibres as well as the inspirations of being creatives in a digital world have come through in the 2025 Rakei Manava catwalk. A competition for Cook Islands cultural creativity and design, it’s also become a space of commentary on the issues that are informing and affirming our generational creatives.

The scripting for each design piece revealed individual stories, especially in the traditional muumuu category, as well as the creative flair now being sought after with some of the costume designers now set to have their work displayed at museums where their art now delivers an income.

For all the creatives, the words of designer Tautape Samson resonate on the step of courage required to bring individual design and artistic vision to the catwalk.

“Since I was young, I’ve always had a deep love for costuming, creating, designing, imagining. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to learn so much, guided and inspired by many amazing family members and friends who are closest to my heart – I’ve known what it feels like to lose, and I’ve known what it feels like to win but through it all, one thing that never changed was my passion, patience, humility, determination and love for our beautiful Cook Islands culture, “ he says, “This competition was long overdue for me. It has been, and always will be, Cook Islands to the world!”

– Lisa Williams/MOCD