Cook Islanders are enjoying a public holiday today to celebrate independence from New Zealand in 1965, however the Te Maeva Nui festival has been delayed this year to coincide with the Pacific Mini Games in September.
The cultural festival of music, art, food and sports will be held from 10th to 21st September in Rarotonga and the Mini Games will follow on directly at the end of September.
The Cook Islands Tourism spokesman in Auckland, Kelly Hansen, says people from outlying islands greatly appreciate combining the two events.
"There's a lot of costs involved, especially for our people in the northern group, they come down in the masses and fill up the boat and end up going down to Rarotonga to sing and dance, it is really a wonderful event to watch."
Kelly Hansen says while this year is a bit different, people from all over the Cook Islands are looking forward to enjoying both the cultural festival and sporting events later in September.
