Ariki Holidays

Gutted not to be in Rarotonga right now for the 2021 Cook Islands Triathlon Association festival 😢

Reports are that there will be a multisport Raro challenge added to the annual calendar later in the year 👊

Hoping to get back there ASAP as the locals have been working hard whilst visitors have been away.

with
Ariki Adventures
Ariki Bungalows
Ariki Holidays
Flying Turtle Cafe
Te Ara O Te Onu
The Edgewater Resort & Spa - Cook Islands

Apparently we are Superhosts! Lets drink to that!

MEITAKI MA'ATA to our 2019 SPONSORS and GENEROUS COMMUNITY for supporting us throughout THIS JOURNEY!

PLATINUM SPONSORS
Bluesky Cook Islands (Lahaina Kiely, Kathy Papatua, Theresa N Gordon & team)
Bank of the Cook Islands (Vaine Nooana-Arioka, Ronald Patia, Ina Davies & team)

GOLD SPONSOR
Rongohiva LED & Rongohiva Watersports

PARAU PEARL SPONSOR
Te Marae Ora - Cook Islands Ministry of Health (Dr Josephine Herman, Daphne Ringi, Howard Tangimetua & team)
CIPS Image & Copy Centre (Colin Burn & Tatiana Burn)
Cook Islands Family and Welfare Association (Rongo File)
Cook Islands Trading Corporation (Gaye Whitta, George George & team)
Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes (Tama & Lynn Tuavera)
Tokerau Jim Images
Peramedia Peramedia
Akau Film (Johnny Beasley & Ioana Turia Puna)
Kia Orana Values (Metuar Tevaiimene & team)

P**I PEARL SPONSORS
Kuki Tag Adventures (Mene Koteka-Heather & W***y Heather)
Palm Grove, Rarotonga (Betsy Eisler)
Rehab Rarotonga (Scott Arlander & Jane Ben Mitchell)
Island Craft Ltd (Tangata Fletcher Melvin & Vaea Melvin)
Turamatuitui Bakery (Macan Munokoa)
ARIKI Holidays (Kave & Julie Tamaariki)

SUPERSTAR SPONSORS
Kitesup Cook Islands Water Sports Centre (Troy & Brynn Acheson-Nooroa)
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium (Tata Crocombe)
COCOPUTT COOK ISLANDS (Tokerau Turia & Meegan Jennings)
RaroXpo (Jessie Katherine Sword & Sid Toa)
Cook Islands Red Cross Society (Fine Tu'itupou-Arnold & Patience Vainerere - Maoate)
Cook Islands Building Supplies (Arama Wichman)
Ministry of Cultural Development Cook Islands (Anthony Turua Turua)

SUPPORTED BY:
Netball Cook Islands (Mii Maui, Kopu Anguna, PJ Hockin, Ngere Puia, Roana Silatolu, and Andrea Rongokea)
Cook Islands Rugby Union (Sean T Smith, Nikki Pulley, Ben Koteka, William Taripo)
Cook Islands Ministry of Education (Dani Cochrane)

SPEECH OF TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, Jackie Rongo, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE Bluesky Rising Stars Championship:

Kia Orana tatou katoatoa i te aro’a ma’ata o te Atua!

Kia Orana Mama Tinomana Ariki!

Kia Orana kia koe Papa Tauturu Orometua...Papa John!

Kia Orana to our distinguished guests from our Government Ministries, Cook Islands Sports & National Olympic Committee, Netball Cook Islands and Cook Islands Rugby Union.

And special guests, PSP Coordinators from New Zealand….Ms Jodi Brown & one of our very own Mrs Margaret Matenga, who were former New Zealand Silver Ferns netball players!

Kia Orana to our many generous Sponsors who have made the Bluesky Rising Stars Championship for Netball & Rugby possible! A special acknowledgement to our Platinum Sponsors, Bluesky Cook Islands and Bank of the Cook Islands.

And most importantly…..Kia Orana to our children and your coaches and managers!

All of us standing here today is a testament that DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE!

And this dream wasn’t just the dream of one person…..this was a collective dream of many……of those who came before us……those who paved the way so we could be where we are today…..and it’s like a jigsaw puzzle coming together to form the most beautiful picture, which is you children standing here today ready to play your hearts out for your schools!

This tournament is also about healthy living….being Sugar Free and Smoke Free…..about a healthy environment & being GREEN by reducing waste, especially plastic bottles that you drink from one time and throw away. Did everyone leave their ju**ie foods at home and bring their water bottle to refill? GOOD! If not, you have by next week to get it right!

One of the most important things about the BLUESKY RISING STARS CHAMPIONSHIP is that it aims to bring our communities together. This has been the UNDERLYING VISION since Rising Stars began in 2016! And look around! Isn’t this a GREAT START? This Championship provides an opportunity for us to connect and bond…to get to know each other, learn from each other, and help each other. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be playing together on the Cook Islands National Team against the Silver Ferns or the All Blacks! Anything is possible because DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE if you BELIEVE!

E te anau, I want to introduce you to our Rising Stars Executive Committee and Competition Team who have been working hard behind-the-scenes with host school, Apii Nikao and Principal Mrs Elizabeth Kapi, and all the school representatives to make this Championship happen.

Aunty Gloria Rarere-Tinirau & Aunty Itinga Nicholas who are part of our administration team.

For NETBALL:
Aunty Mii Maui who is our Tournament Coordinator & Technical Officials Manager.
And Aunty Kopu Anguna, Competition Manager.

ON THE RUGBY SIDE:
Uncle Ben Koteka who is Tournament Coordinator & Competition Manager.
And Uncle William Taripo, Technical Officials Manager.

And lastly you have Uncle Teina and me, Aunty Jackie, and we round out the Rising Stars Executive Committee & Competition team!

Children, you will also see heaps of Aunties, Uncles, Mamas and Papas and your own parents helping out around our beautiful venue of Raemaru Park, so please be kind and respectful to them as they are giving their time to help you.

And please let’s all be thankful for our SPONSORS who have given us so much!

Pōkarakara mai tatou no teau sponsors!

Play hard…play fair…play safe…and have a WONDERFUL tournament!

Kia Manuia and God Bless!

PLATINUM SPONSORS
Bluesky Cook Islands
BCI

GOLD SPONSOR
Rongohiva LED
Rongohiva Watersports

PARAU PEARL SPONSORS
Te Marae Ora - Cook Islands Ministry of Health
CIPS Image & Copy Centre
Cook Islands Family Welfare Association
Cook Islands Trading Corporation
Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes
Tokerau Jim Images
Peramedia Peramedia
Akau Film
Kia Orana Values - Cook Islands Tourism

P**I PEARL SPONSORS
Kuki Tag Adventures
Palm Grove, Rarotonga
Rehab Rarotonga
Island Craft Ltd
Turamatuitui Bakery
ARIKI Holidays

SUPERSTAR SPONSORS
Kitesup Cook Islands Water Sports Centre
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
COCOPUTT COOK ISLANDS
RaroXpo
Cook Islands Red Cross Society
Cook Islands Building Supplies
Ministry of Cultural Development Cook Islands

What an Amazing and Fun afternoon held at the Rarotonga Golf Club on Friday. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all the people who came out to support my final fundraiser in preparation for Miss World 2017 in China and very importantly, the sponsors who made my fundraiser possible.
A Big Meitaki Maata to Taniera Fisher and Rima Moekaa who are part of my fundraising committee for a successful fundraising effort, my Matenga Family for the yummy food stalls and help and my TeamAlanna crew for your continued support. Meitaki Ranuinui to Mr. Wahoo and Elizabeth Pitomaki for the awesome tunes, to the Golf President Jimmy for facilitating the golf points count and EmCeeing and the Rarotonga Golf Club for a fun golf event.
It was for me such a great opportunity to be out and about on the green ⛳️catching up with everyone and it was a nice break away from all the Miss World preparation and trainings.
I am so grateful for all your support and appreciate everything, it’s not long to go now... let the countdown begin 😊

Thank you so much to my sponsors
Air Rarotonga Limited
Aitutaki Escape - Luxury Villas
Pacific Resort Hotel Group
Nautilus Resort Rarotonga
RARO SAFARI TOURS
Highland Paradise, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
ARIKI Holidays
Koka Lagoon Cruises, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Crown Beach Resort & Spa
The Bond Store
Kuki Tag Adventures
Coconut Tours
Raro Reef Sub
Kitesup Cook Islands
Akura Fishing Charters Rarotonga
Bluesky Cook Islands
Rehab Rarotonga
Fave Designs
Charlie's Cafe
The Mooring Fish Cafe

The stars were truly shining brightly at the BSA on Saturday for the Rising Stars Netball Championship Grand Finals!

With an opening prayer by Papa Tauturu Orometua of Nikao and National Anthem sung by Konini Rongo, the 3rd vs 4th place games kicked off. In the Future Stars 12U grade, Titikaveka Pearls outclassed the Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers 22 - 13, while the Rising Stars 15U was won by the Avatiu Dragonflies over the Panthers 29 - 20.

In the 1st vs 2nd place matches, Future Stars 12U undefeated Ngatangiia-Matavera SeaGalz easily glided to victory 15 – 6 over the Avatiu Dragonflies, who had given them much trouble with a draw in the 1st round and only a one-point victory in the 2nd round. The SeaGals secured themselves the top prize of a Rehab party bus day trip around the island with multiple stops, including fun on Rongohiva Watersports waterpark inflatables in town, a total prize value of $925. The runners-up received a laser tag session sponsored by Kuki Tag Adventures. The Future Stars 12U Most Inspiring Team award was won by Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers whose team consisted of mainly 8U & 10U players. Despite winning very few games in this tournament, they never failed to turn up to training in numbers and with positive attitudes absolutely loving the game of netball. Their team prize was a session on Rongohiva Waterpark.

In the Shooting Stars 20+ finals between Titikaveka Pearls and Avatiu Dragonflies, a Rehab Rarotonga Party bus trip with 4 x drink cards worth $900 was on the line. Unfortunately, the Dragonflies who were undefeated throughout the entire tournament couldn’t keep par with the loss of two of their key players, defender Luciana Nicholas and attacker Marjorie Toru, to National Squad trials in New Zealand which overlapped the Grand Finals. The Pearls were also in top form with former National Squad rep GD Natalia Asinata Simahite Short along with GK Claire Wilson dominating their circle with numerous intercepts. Titikaveka’s attacking sisters Karalaini N James & Ani Matenga were a creative team with sharp shooting action, and Ani’s 4th quarter buzzer be**er from outside range was perhaps the shot of the day and sealed the win 67 – 37! The runner-up Dragonflies won a day or night paddleboard and glassbottom kayaking with ARIKI Holidays.

The Rising Stars 15U 1st place match was a battle for $2,500 cash prize between Titikaveka Pearls and Arorangi Flames (U17 champions in 2016). The Flames burned brightly in the first half, keeping pace with the Pearls. Nevertheless, the Pearls, coached by Natalia Short and receiving tips from ex-Silverfern Margharet Matenga, put the heat on the Flames and rolled away to victory 32 – 24.

The main match in the Rising Stars 19U grade between Arorangi Flames (U21 champions in 2016) and Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers was a much anticipated fight for the grand prize of $3,500 cash. The Panthers came out with a roaring start, pushing the Flames tit for tat to hold a 13 – 11 edge by the end of the 1st quarter. The Panthers were ecstatic with the return of Anania Pauleen Piri, an outstanding attacker and key player for the team, from National Squad camp in New Zealand a mere hour or two before the start of the finals. Piri was a late addition to camp as a spot opened from the withdrawal of another local squad member due to extraneous circumstances, and a concession was requested and subsequently granted by the Squad coach so that Piri could honour her commitment to club and team. Flying high with flare and complementing the outstanding play of the other half of the Tupapa dynamic duo, Rianna Nicholas Pepe, combined with the outstanding defense of Norma Pepe and Tetiniariki Tapoki Tararo saw the Panthers retain a one-point lead at the half 25 – 24.

The Flames were not going to be extinguished without a fight, blitzing their way up and down the court with Center Simone Nicholas working both ends of the court with grace and poise, forcing crucial turnovers and sending the ball to outstanding shooters Greta Marsters Remuera and Lynn Taumatangi Mataora. Despite the loss of their key defender and U21 National Team rep Daimzel Joy-nara Rongokea to National Squad camp, the Arorangi defenders GD Romey Rauraa and GK Tina Ufamarata hassled the dynamic duo of Tupapa every which way to keep the score at a two-point difference in the 3rd at 41 – 39 to Tupapa.

The arrival of the U19 Arorangi Cowboys seemed to boost the morale of the Flames with rambunctious cheering while holding their own trophy from their rugby win, however Tupapa was not fazed by the ruckus and pushed the Flames to the limit. Center Ngapare Noovao stepped in filling the space left by Phillippa Smith who also left to NZ for National Squad camp duties, and with the assistance of wing attack Eteta Strickland in front and Tevai Tatuava at wing defense in the back, the Panthers cruised to victory and doused the Flames 54 – 49.

The awards presentation followed with winning teams receiving trophies, sponsored prizes as well as the much-coveted cash prizes for the 15U and 19U grades. The All-Tournament selections were made with 12 players in each grade, where the Rising Stars Executive Committee will support four teams to the Netball in Paradise tournament in December playing in the U13, U15, U17 and Open grades.

Growing from 2 grades last year to 4 grades this year, the Rising Stars Netball Championship would not be possible without the support of our amazing Platinum Sponsors Bank of the Cook Islands and Bluesky Cook Islands, as well as our Gold Sponsor Rongohiva, Parau Pearl Sponsors Te Marae Ora MOH, Varo Media, Hori Signs, P**i Pearl Sponsors CITC Liquor, Kuki Tag Adventures, Rehab Rarotonga, Palm Grove, CIPS Image & Copy Centre and Superstar Sponsors Matman, RaroXpo, Punanga Nui Market, Ariki Holidays, Bounty Bookshop, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Cook Islands Tourism, Ministry of Cultural Development, Cocoputt, Polynesian Media Cook Islands, Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruises, Charlies Cafe & Beach Hire, KiteSUP, Turamatuitui Bakery, Island Craft, T&M Heather, Cook Islands Red Cross, CISNOC, Netball Cook Islands and Netball New Zealand's Ivan Harre who all supported in different ways. Also, a shoutout to all the coaches, umpires, supporters, parents, and players who are all a part of this big “netball jigsaw puzzle” where we are only complete when all together. Looking forward to 2018!

RISING STARS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS 2017
Future Stars 12U
1 Kubethreana Taripo (Avatiu Dragonflies)
2 Marion Ngatokorua Rani (Ngatangiia-Matavera SeaGalz)
3 Teremoana Macquarie (Avatiu Dragonflies)
4 Tara Banks Williams (Avatiu Dragonflies)
5 Yannicka Tinirau (Ngatangiia-Matavera SeaGalz) Gloria Rarere-Tinirau
6 Tapaeru Ioane (Ngatangiia-Matavera SeaGalz)
7 Teama Tearaitoa (Avatiu Dragonflies)
8 Kayla-Marama Fraser (Titikaveka Pearls) Ngere Puia
9 Tiana Will (Avatiu Dragonflies)
10 Joy Erica-Moana Rani (Ngatangiia-Matavera SeaGalz)
11 Estelle Short (Titikaveka Pearls) Cecile Marten
12 Luca Dearlove (Titikaveka Pearls) Tamsyn Dearlove Chambers

Shooting Stars 20+
1 Elena Mataora (Tupapa Panthers)
2 Ani Matenga (Titikaveka Pearls)
3 Tania Kermode (Avatiu Dragonflies)
4 Nana Manuela-Emile (Avatiu Dragonflies)
5 Latisha Mataora (Tupapa Panthers)
6 April Maleynar Tini (Avatiu Dragonflies)
7 Natalia Short (Titikaveka Pearls)
8 Marjorie Toru (Avatiu Dragonflies)
9 Curly Taripo (Avatiu Dragonflies)
10 Monica Wichman (Takuvaine Red Angels)
11 Claire Wilson (Titikaveka Pearls)
12 Luciana Nicholas (Avatiu Dragonflies)


RISING STARS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS 2017
Rising Stars 15U
1 Mele Poaru (Avatiu Dragonflies)
2 Anna-Marie Henry (Arorangi Flames) Jennifer Henry
3 Bernice Trego (Titikaveka Pearls)
4 Nicole Tiaore (Avatiu Dragonflies)
5 Tarita Mamanu (Arorangi Flames)
6 Eleanor Wichman (Arorangi Flames)
7 Kaia Dearlove (Titikaveka Pearls)
8 Megan Browne (Arorangi Flames) Haimona Brown
9 Mavalea Vavia (Tupapa Panthers)
10 Natalia Viking (Tupapa Panthers)
11 Manamea Koteka (Titikaveka Pearls)
12 Evämoänä Pätäi (Avatiu Dragonflies)

Rising Stars 19U
1 Rianna Pepe (Tupapa Panthers)
2 Anania Piri (Tupapa Panthers)
3 Simone Nicholas (Arorangi Flames)
4 Phillipa Smith (Tupapa Panthers)
5 Tevaikura Tatuava (Tupapa Panthers)
6 Daimzel Rongokea (Arorangi Flames)
7 Tetini Tararo (Tupapa Panthers)
8 Greta Remuera (Arorangi Flames)
9 Kataraina Piri (Avatiu Dragonflies)
10 Rachel Tuaputa (Arorangi Flames)
11 Susan Williams (Avatiu Dragonflies)
12 Marei Nicholas (Avatiu Dragonflies)