JULY/AUGUST
TE MAEVA NUI 30 JULY-5 AUGUST
Cultural festival and constitution celebrations
The MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE COOK ISLANDS CALENDAR is the annual celebration of self rule, granted in 1965. Formerly called the Constitution Celebrations, it was renamed in 2001 because the Prime Minister of the time wanted a Cook Islands Maori name to capture the essence and joy of the annual festival. "Te Maeva Nui" translates as "the major or most important celebration". Each year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for that particular year. There are more than 500 participants this year. And it all climaxes at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga. Note that tickets this year can only be bought on the island (there will be no on-line sales). Constitution Day itself (4 August) is a public holiday.
2024 SCHEDULE
30 JULY, 1230 Official opening and float parade, Avarua town centre. 31 JULY to 3 AUGUST Trade days at Punanga Nui market (from 0800). 31 JULY to 3 AUGUST Cultural performance nights (starting at 1900). 4 AUGUST Constitution Day celebrations, National Auditorium (1300). Performance Night, National Auditorium (1900). 5 AUGUST Awards and closing ceremony, National Auditorium (1000)
