Latest news with #Ariki
Scoop
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Governor-General's Address At The Cook Islands 60th Constitution Day Ceremony
Tēnā koutou, kia orana tātou katoatoa - and my very warmest Pacific greetings to you all. I'd like to specifically acknowledge: Sir Tom Marsters, King's Representative to the Cook Islands, and Lady Tuaine Marsters; Prime Minister Mark Brown and Mrs Daphne Brown, and all Members of Parliament of the Cook Islands; Tou Travel Ariki, President of the House of Ariki, and Tou Ariki Vaine, and all other Ariki, mataiapo, and rangatira; Bishop Tutai Pere, Chair of the Religious Advisory Council, and all orometua and religious leaders; Your Excellency Ms Catherine Graham, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands; distinguished foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps. And to all honoured guests, many of whom I know have travelled great distances to be here - tēnā koutou katoa. As Governor-General of the Realm of New Zealand, representing His Majesty King Charles III, and the Government and people of New Zealand, I am honoured to be here for this deeply significant celebration of Te Maeva Nui - marking 60 years of Cook Islands self-governance, and the very special relationship between our two countries. This is my second visit to the Cook Islands during my term as Governor-General - and on both occasions, I have been so struck, and so moved, by the warmth and generosity with which my husband Dr Davies and I have been received. The bond between Aotearoa and the Cook Islands extends back many hundreds of years to our voyaging ancestors, who navigated across the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, carrying with them an abiding spirit of courage and exploration, and guided by an extraordinary attunement to the natural world: to the winds and currents and stars. That whakapapa now finds expression in the many family ties which straddle and bind our two countries: the whanaungatanga forged and enforced over generations, and through all the cycles of life - the loves and losses; the triumphs and tragedies shared. Not far from my home of Government House in Wellington, at the Pukeahu War National War Memorial Park, sits a great, beautiful, bronze conch - a particular favourite among children small enough to curl up in its hollow opening. That conch's name is Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, 'the deep sigh of the Pacific', and it stands as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of the bond between our countries: of the immense sacrifices made by Pacific troops, including so many Cook Islanders, who fought and died alongside their New Zealand comrades in global conflicts of this past century. At a time when we still see so much instability and suffering in the world, when climate change remains an existential threat to us all, the bonds of true friendship, of care and sharing and understanding, are so precious: the knowledge that we are not alone standing against the flooding tides of intolerance and indifference and fear. The famous whakataukī says: 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!' And it is the people - that bond of deep friendship between our two peoples - that will transcend all else as we continue to face the challenges, and celebrate the joys of the future, together. I wish to extend my sincerest thanks once again to Sir Tom and Lady Tuaine Marsters, for the great kindness you've extended to me and Dr Davies these past days. Sir Tom: may I also add, a very happiest 80th birthday - and to you and Lady Marsters: very warmest congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary, also to be celebrated today. My sincerest thanks and congratulations also to Prime Minister Brown, the Cook Islands Government, and all those Cook Islanders, here on Rarotonga, and from across Pa Enua - for the work and aro'a that you've put into making these celebrations such a success, in honour of all that you've achieved over these past sixty years of nationhood. It was Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, the great poet, born here on Rarotonga, who wrote these lines of deep familial love: What more can I wish you than / The fulfilment of your dreams, / Love and peace of mind / And the world to enjoy? As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish the Cook Islands these things: a peaceful and prosperous future, for all Cook Islanders, for your families, for generations into the future - knowing that New Zealand remains at your side. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Veitch close to record
Shay Veitch. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Otago long jumper Shay Veitch has soared to new heights. Veitch leapt to a personal best of 8.04m to win the senior men's long jump at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event in Belgium on Saturday. It is the first time the Ariki athlete has crossed the 8m mark and he pulled out his trademark celebration for the occasion, a backflip and bowing to the cheering crowd. Veitch, who moved to Cambridge earlier this year but still represents Otago, is now just 1cm off the national record of 8.05m set by Bob Thomas in 1968, one of the oldest records in New Zealand. The record has been in Veitch's sights in recent seasons, and he surpassed his previous personal best of 7.99m from the Sir Graeme Douglas International in 2023. Since injury hampered his 2024 season, Veitch has been building to some big jumps and has regularly produced them in Belgium. Veitch opened with a jump of 7.35m before unleashing a 7.99m on his second attempt to equal his best. He unleashed on the third attempt with 8.04m and followed up with 7.89m and 7.98m in the final two attempts. German Luka Herden was runner-up with 7.82m. Earlier this year on the national summer circuit, Veitch regained his national long jump title with 7.76m in front of a home crowd in Dunedin. He also won the International Track Meet in Christchurch with a then season's best of 7.91m.
NZ Herald
22-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Most popular Māori names: Aroha, Ariki top the list for a third year
Aroha and Ariki remain the most popular Māori baby names for the third year running. The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua (DIA) has released the top five names given to kōtiro (girls) and tamaiti tāne (boys) born in the past 12 months. There were 173 girls
RNZ News
21-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
The 2025 list of most popular Māori baby names is out
Each year a tally is taken of Māori first names and middle names given to children and registered with the Department of Internal Affairs. Photo: Supplied/ Whakawhetū Aroha and Ariki remain the most popular Māori baby names for the third year running. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has released the top five names given to kōtiro and tāne born in the past 12 months. There were 173 kōtiro called Aroha or a variation of the name, such as Te Aroha / Te-Aroha / TeAroha. And 137 boys were named Ariki, or Te Ariki / Āriki / te Ariki. Also in the top five girls' names were Maia, Moana, Anahera, and Atarangi. The other tāne top five were: Wiremu, Koa, Mikaere and Rangi. The tally of names included all that were registered with DIA / Te Tari Taiwhenua between 1 July 2024 and 18 June 2025 - dates chosen to align with the Tangaroa lunar calendar period associated with Matariki, as advised by the Matariki Advisory Committee, DIA said. Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages Russell Burnard said each name told a story. "It's a reflection of whakapapa, identity, and the hopes whānau hold for their tamariki," he said. Great care was taken in compiling the annual list. "We approach the creation of the Māori baby names list with deep respect and cultural responsibility. Each name is carefully reviewed to ensure it aligns with te reo Māori conventions - right down to the structure of vowels and consonants, and the presence of macrons. "Our process includes consultation with kaumātua and final review by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. Through this collaboration we aim to honour the mana of Māori names." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Aroha/Te Aroha And Ariki/Te Ariki Top Māori Baby Names Of 2024/2025
The Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua, has released the most popular Māori baby names for 2024/2025. For the third consecutive year, Aroha/Te Aroha/Te-Aroha/TeAroha (173) topped the list for kōtiro (girls), while Ariki/Te Ariki/Āriki/te Ariki (137) remained the most popular name for tāne (boys). Rounding out the top five names for kōtiro were: Maia/Māia/Te Māia, Moana/Te Moana, Anahera/Te Anahera and Atarangi/Te Atarangi/Te Ataarangi/Te-Atarangi. For tāne, the top five includes Wiremu, Koa, Mikaere and Rangi/Te Rangi/te Rangi/te rangi/Te-Rangi. 'Each name tells a story. It's a reflection of whakapapa, identity, and the hopes whānau hold for their tamariki,' says Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages Russell Burnard. Burnard also highlighted the care taken in compiling the list. 'We approach the creation of the Māori baby names list with deep respect and cultural responsibility. Each name is carefully reviewed to ensure it aligns with te reo Māori conventions—right down to the structure of vowels and consonants, and the presence of macrons. 'Our process includes consultation with kaumātua and final review by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. Through this collaboration we aim to honour the mana of Māori names.' The first and middle names featured in this list were registered with Department of internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua between 1 July 2024 and 18 June 2025. These dates align with the Tangaroa lunar calendar period associated with Matariki, as advised by the Matariki Advisory Committee. Department of internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua has published a list of the top Māori baby names since 2013. 2022/2023 was the first year that this list was released to coincide with Matariki, the Māori New Year. To view the top full list of Māori baby names from 2024/2025, 2023/2024, and 2022/2023, visit the SmartStart website:
