Two days. More than 2,000 performers. Every vaka, oire and enua on one stage, drumming, imene, ura and storytelling passed down through generations, celebrated together in Aotearoa.
Our premier annual festival celebrating Cook Islands language, culture, performing arts and community is the largest Cook Islands cultural festival outside the Cook Islands.
The basket of knowledge & wisdom of our elders.
Competition rules, item requirements, timings and judging criteria for participating groups are published as a downloadable document ahead of each festival.
Tickets go on sale in June 2027
Full cultural items from every group — traditional dance, choral imene, drumming and chant, judged and performed at the highest level.
Free entry alongside the arena — island food, handmade crafts, Cook Islands businesses and live entertainment across both days.
Months of work in every ei, pareu and headdress — rito weaving, tivaevae and adornment made by hand within each group.
The theme shapes everything — the chant a group writes, the story their ura tells, the colours in their costume. It is announced ahead of the festival so every vaka and enua has time to research, compose and rehearse.
Te Taui ʻanga Reva — Climate Change
Stories. Christianity. Persevere.
Resilience. Power. Unity.
Ariki — Royals of the Seas
Tickets are sold through our ticketing partner, with family and group options. Dates, pricing and the booking link go live ahead of each festival — get on the list and you’ll hear first.
65–75 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Waitākere, Auckland
On-site parking, and a short walk from Sturges Road and Henderson train stations. Arrive early on finals day — the arena fills fast.
Kapa Market — free entry, island food, crafts and live entertainment both days.
The Trust Arena, Waitākere, Auckland. Exact dates for the next festival are announced by the Trust ahead of each year — join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook to hear first.
Ticket pricing and the booking link are published ahead of each festival, with family and group options available. Under-fives generally enter free.
Absolutely — Te Maeva Nui NZ is a family celebration. Tamariki are welcome, and Kapa Market alongside the main arena has food, crafts and activities for all ages.
Groups register through the Trust ahead of each festival. Get in touch and we will send you the rules, item requirements and registration timeline for your vaka or enua.
Yes. Kapa Market runs alongside the festival with authentic Cook Islands cuisine, local food vendors, artisan crafts and live entertainment. Free entry to the market.
We welcome both. Sponsorship packages support performers, venue and production costs; volunteers help with everything from front of house to hospitality. Contact us to talk it through.
Every Te Maeva Nui NZ Festival since the very first, with a gallery for each year.
Ariki — Royals of the Seas
Resilience. Power. Unity.
Stories. Christianity. Persevere.
Te Taui ʻanga Reva — Climate Change
