Certificate in Cook Islands Studies
The first qualification of its kind
Te Mana o Te Vaka is a project that was funded by The University of the South Pacific Maritime Institute with contributions from New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade. The project was undertaken by Gallery Tavioni & Vananga with Ta’unga Tutara Michael Tavioni BEM knowledge holder of traditional vaka as well as The Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS).
The aim of the project was to perpetuate the traditional process of Cook Islands vaka making, from the gathering of resources, carving the vaka, demonstrating its use through fishing demonstrations and providing opportunities to our children, community and visitors to learn about them and sail them in our lagoon with qualified instructions.
This project will go on to contribute towards the Certificate in Cook Islands Studies that The University of the South Pacific is launching in 2025.