Cook Islands Day

Love will be in the air at Te Papa on Saturday 3 March when Cook Islanders unite to showcase the romance of their destination for Cook Islands Day.

Cook Islands Day will be a vibrant day of performances, personalities, arts and speakers to show what makes the Cook Islands one of the best places in the world to discover romance.

This special event is part of the partnership between Cook Islands Tourism and Te Papa’s popular Unveiled exhibition which features 200 years of wedding fashion from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Island cuisine, music, dance, art, craft, black pearls, fashion and wedding & travel experts will be exhibited in a market-style layout in Te Papa’s foyer for members of the public to attend for free.

Presentations from special guests will highlight the seductive power of Cook Islands black pearls, cuisine, fashion, drumming, dancing and song. They include Robert Oliver, expert in Pacific cuisine, internationally renowned author of Me’a Kai: The Food and Flavours of the South Pacific and winner of The Gourmand World Cookbook Award 2010; Ellena Tavioni, celebrated Cook Islands TAV fashion designer; and black pearl expert, George Ellis, CEO of the Cook Islands Pearl Authority.

“We want all New Zealanders to know the Cook Islands are the ultimate destination for weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways. Cook Islanders take pride in delivering more than just a beautiful setting. Our islands are made even more perfect for romance when you add great service, warm hospitality and the friendliness of the Cook Island people,” says Carmel Beattie, Cook Islands Tourism CEO.

Te Papa opens at 10am – 6pm on Saturday. Cook Islands Day will be staged in the Te Papa foyer with the key presentations from 11am – 2pm.