The 52nd Pacific Island's Forum Leaders Meeting is causing quite a buzz around the main island and especially at the bustling Punanga Nui Markets. November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum in Cook Islands this week is causing quite a buzz around the main island Rarotonga and especially at the bustling Punanga Nui Market.
The marketplace will not only be a magnet for tourists but hundreds of delegates as well.
Papa Ngarima George will be leading the opening ceremony chant which will feature 200 children at the Pacific Islands Forum.
He is looking forward to the event and gave a nod to the Premier of the Cook Islands late Albert Henry for founding the leaders' gathering, originally known as South Pacific Forum.
The 52nd Pacific Island's Forum Leaders Meeting is causing quite a buzz around the main island and especially at the bustling Punanga Nui Markets. November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
Henry was given a formal pardon by the King's Representative Sir Tom Marsters in Rarotonga for previously being stripped of his knighthood and found guilty of election fraud.
Perhaps an indication of what is to come, as the Cook Islands sets the stage for a fresh start.
Last year, Kiribati and four other Micronesian nations moved to quit the Pacific Islands Forum in 2021, accusing Polynesian and Melanesian nations of breaking a "gentleman's agreement" to hand their candidate the secretary-general position.
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka attempted to bring them back to the party and now the "Pacific family" is back together.
Paul Lynch, like many Cook Islanders wears many hats. Not only does he sell hot sauce at Punanga Nui Market, but he was also the former Cook Island Seabed Commissioner.
"This Forum is going to be a sign of the times to come. Can we reunite as a region again there has been friction in the past? I am hopeful it will be a good forum and make a difference particularly to people at a grassroots level."
"It's a big year for the Cook Islands to host, we are very proud of that," he said.
The 52nd Pacific Island's Forum Leaders Meeting is causing quite a buzz around the main island and especially at the bustling Punanga Nui Markets. November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
Preparations have been long in the making, Lynch said, adding "the buzz started a year ago" leading to upgraded infrastructure on the island.
"Roads have been improved and a lot of spin off benefits like accommodation as well."
The vibrant market will be a hub and key attraction for over 500 delegates from around the world including the UK, Japan, and US.
Jean-Marie Francis had already been paid a visit by American Samoa delegates who could not get enough of her skin care oil.
"We do need the revenue. The money that they will generate just from them being here will be so good for the economy," Francis said.
Paul Lynch at his hot sauce stall at Punanga Nui Market. A former Cook Island Seabed commissioner, he says leaders meeting "is going to be a sign of the times to come". Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
The market will be running for four extra days from Tuesday the 7th until Friday - the last day of the Forum.
Nancy Kora had been preparing her precious Cook Island black pearl jewellery in advance.
"We have had to re-stock a lot because we have got a lot of Pacific nations coming over. We try to cater for everybody."
She owns Kora Peals with her husband Kora Kora, a pearl farmer from the island Manihiki.
"It's incredible. I'm looking forward to seeing all the leaders here and all the culture that's going to be on the island," he said.
Papa Ngarima George parted with a pearl of wisdom for the leaders.
We have a Cook Island Maori saying he said, "A'aere, marie, e aku potiki, kia kite koe nga 'inapotea."
Direct Translation: "Go quietly my sons, so that you see many moonlights. Go slowly and be careful so that you live long."
He said it was crucial leaders, "go forth and be wise in the decisions they make."
The 52nd Pacific Island's Forum Leaders Meeting is causing quite a buzz around the main island and especially at the bustling Punanga Nui Markets. November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
