Culture says everyone is a winner

Organisers of Te Maeva Nui 2024 clarified the awards on Sunday following reports that a particular team had won the competition and been named champions.

According to the Department of Cultural Development, the team behind the successful annual festival “are all winners”.

Responding to queries from journalists following newspaper reports that Tupapa Maraerenga had been crowned the champion, the ministry’s manager of human resources, media and communications, Sharna Matapuku, clarified that there was no specific winner as points were awarded on a tier basis, in line with the practice in recent years.

“As we have discovered in the past, Te Maeva Nui is not a competition and it is important that we give due recognition and reward to items and categories,” Matapuku said.

“That’s why we introduced the A, B, C, D system, through which we can reward multiple deserving winners, if every team has done well, then why can’t they all take home the top prize?”

“An enthusiastic platinum sponsor took a special interest in our Taunga Rakei and wanted to recognise their hard work in designing and producing the colourful masterpiece we see on stage,” Matapuku explained.

“This is our first product launched in Kapa Rima and Ura Pau clothing section.^{English Stone},2^nd3^road and the consolation prize system. Since then, creativity has continued to grow, greatly improving the quality of stage performances,” she said.

“That being said – everyone is a winner.”

The results of the costume section were announced on Sunday as the main awards. Atiu Enua won the Kapa Rima (Movement Song) Costume Award, while Tupapa Maraerenga won the Ura Pau (Inspiration) Costume Award. They each received $3,000 in prize money.

result

Kapa Rima (Action Song) Costumes:1^{English Stone} Quota ($3000) – Atiu Enua, 2^nd Place ($2000) – Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, 3^road Location ($1000) – Nikao City. The remaining teams Vaka Puaikura, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapuka Nassau and Te Fuinga o Niva received consolation prizes of $500 each.

Ula drum (drumming) costumes:1^{English Stone} Place ($3000) – Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, 2^nd Quota ($2000) – Atiu Enua, 3^road Location ($1000) – Vaka Puaikura. The remaining teams Oire Nikao, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapuka Nassau and Te Fuinga o Niva received consolation prizes of $500 each.

Imene Pupp – choir: B = US$800 – Mangaia Enua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Takitumu, Pukapukua / Nassau Wenua; A = US$1000 – Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Oire Enua and Oire Tupapa Maraerenga.

Imene Tuki – Traditional singing: B = US$800 – Atiu Enua, Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, Waka Takitumu; A = US$1000 – Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Pukapuka/Nassau Wenua, Te Fuinga O Niva.

Ute: B = $800 – Book/Nassau Wenua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Atiu Enua; A = $1000 – Nikao City, Vaka Puaikura.

Pe’e – Traditional sacred song: A = $1000 – Vaka Puaikura, Te Fuinga O Niva, Pukapuka / Nassau Wenua.

Kapa Rima – Action Song: B = $800 – Book/Nassau Land; A = $1000 – Oire Tupapa Maraerenga, Vaka Puaikura, Atiu Enua, Oire Nikao, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Takitumu.

Ura Pau – Encouragement: B = $800 – Waka Takitumu, Puka Puka/Nassau Venua; A = $1000 – Atiu Enua, Te Fuinga O Niva, Vaka Puaikura, Oire Nikao, Oire Tupapa Maraerenga.