April 29th, 2025
Rarotonga Schools Culture Festival 2025 Creates Unforgettable Memories
Over two dazzling evenings in 2025, thousands gathered at Te Are Karioi Nui to celebrate one of Rarotonga’s most treasured events – the biennial Rarotonga Schools Culture Festival.
This vibrant showcase brought together eleven schools, with hundreds of talented students lighting up the stage with energy, pride, and pure Cook Islands spirit. Performers aged from preschool to senior classes took to the stage, supported by proud parents, families, and visitors.
The littlest participants were a crowd favourite, capturing hearts with their uninhibited joy. Some danced to the beat of their own drums, some sang impressively by memory, others delighted the crowd with enthusiastic waves, and a few scanned the audience lovingly for familiar faces. Though there were occasional tears, the overwhelming feeling throughout the nights was one of pure celebration and cultural pride.
Students proudly showcased traditional performances such as kapa rima (action songs), ura pau (drum dances), ute (celebratory songs), and pe’e (chants) – each an important part of preserving and sharing Cook Islands heritage. After months of preparation, their shining moments on stage celebrated not only their hard work but also their deep connection to community and culture.
A proud parent summed it up best: “They all deserve to be on stage enjoying themselves — this is their turn to be a star, it’s their festival.”
Festival committee chairlady, Maara T Scheel, who also leads Culture and Māori at Apii Nikao, stressed the importance of teaching young people about their cultural roots. She emphasised that giving children this knowledge, skill, and pride will ensure the stories and traditions of the Cook Islands continue for generations to come.
Among many standout performances, Apii Te Uki Ou delivered a spectacular show structured into three parts — pe’e, ura pau, and kapa rima — inspired by the heartfelt theme “Tupu’anga ruperupe toou e taku Ipukarea, e tango ketaketa ia noku e no te uki apopo”, paying tribute to strong family connections and future resilience.
Visitors and families navigated between accommodation and festival locations with ease thanks to Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes, Rarotonga’s trusted rental provider. Whether in a rental car, scooter, or bicycle, festival-goers could explore all corners of the island, enjoying the freedom to discover beaches, villages, and cultural sites beyond the festival grounds.
As the 2025 festival now becomes a treasured memory, excitement is already building for the next celebration in 2026. If you missed out this year — or want to relive the magic — now’s the perfect time to start planning your visit.
Lock in your island transport early with Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes to make the most of the 2026 festival. Explore Rarotonga at your own pace and immerse yourself in the unmatched warmth and culture of the Cook Islands.
Visit Polynesian Hire today and start planning your 2026 cultural adventure!