About UANKA
Honouring the Past, Empowering the Present, Sustaining the Future.
UANKA exists to uphold the legacy, authority and cultural leadership of the Ui Ariki of the Cook Islands. Guided by our Papa Ture Metua, adopted at the 52nd Session of the House of Ariki in October 2023, our purpose is to honour our whakapapa, protect the wisdom of our ancestors and empower our people for generations to come.
Our incorporating certificate, Ui Ariki Ngateitei O Te Kuki Airani Incorporated, Registration No. I10588, confirms our establishment as an Incorporated Society on 20 October 2023. From this foundation, UANKA serves as a cultural, educational and strategic body committed to safeguarding our traditions and advancing the wellbeing of our people in Aotearoa Kuki Airani and across the global diaspora.
Our Mandate
‘E tā i te riu, e rapa i te kō, e pa’u tangi karakia, ka pupui ki te rangi, ei ranga i te unga ma te potiki.’
Bail the swells, manage the land, the drums of my rituals are echoing, petition the heavens to sustain the generations of tomorrow.
UANKA’s authority is embedded in its Papa Ture Metua or Constitution. Our responsibility is to uphold the cultural mandate of the Ui Ariki and strengthen the relationship between the Society, the Aronga Mana and the people of the Cook Islands. This includes:
Reviving and strengthening traditional structures
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Reviving customary titles, restoring the Korero and Tua Tapapa and strengthening the Matakeinanga, Vaka, Ngati, Kopu, Uanga, Ngutuare and individuals.
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Promoting customs, traditions and associated values across all islands and diaspora communities.
Protecting and applying customary knowledge
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Identifying customary practices that support sustainable economic development.
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Applying traditional knowledge to address climate change, food security, environmental degradation and the protection of biodiversity.
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Using customary approaches for the sustainable management of land, waters, wetlands, makatea, coastal areas, motus, valleys, landscapes, forests, lagoons, reefs, passages and the Moana.
Integrating cultural knowledge into education
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Mainstreaming traditional skills, creative arts, language and vocational training into the national education system.
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Preserving knowledge of tides, moon phases, wind patterns, conservation, harvesting and the holistic tapu of our ecosystem.
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Reviving Are Taunga, Are Korero, Are Vananga and other institutes as centres of cultural education.
Stand With Us in Protecting Culture, Land and People
Real impact comes from working together. Whether you contribute your skills, partner with our initiatives or support cultural restoration, your involvement helps UANKA protect our heritage and shape a resilient, thriving future for all Cook Islanders.
Our Function
UANKA operates as a strategic and cultural organisation responsible for delivering high quality initiatives that strengthen the role and influence of the Ui Ariki.
Our functions include:
Organisational leadership
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Establishing and managing an Office with the capacity to deliver quality projects and initiatives.
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Recruiting and managing staff and volunteers who are passionate, knowledgeable, creative and committed to the mission of UANKA.
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Developing project goals and missions for endorsement by the Executive Committee and membership.
Strengthening partnerships and networks
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Building strong and constructive partnerships between the House of Ariki and the Society.
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Building and maintaining tribal networks across the 24 island and tribal groupings of the Cook Islands diaspora.
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Working closely with Island Governments, community organisations, NGOs, Ministries and Government agencies.
Securing resources and sustainability
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Sourcing, procuring and securing short, medium and long term funding for the Society’s work.
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Actively seeking donors and funding partners to support our programmes.
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Negotiating agreements that strengthen our financial, technical and logistical capacity.
Our Commitment
Our mandate is extensive and our responsibilities are significant. Through careful stewardship, strategic planning and culturally grounded leadership, UANKA is committed to uplifting the mana, knowledge and values of the Cook Islands so that our people may thrive today and continue to prosper long into the future.