As described by the artist, our conference image Mei ‘Avaiki Mai speaks to emergence - not from a distant past, but from a depth that continues to sustain us. The work presents two forms of Tangaroa standing back to back. They embody duality, continuity, and the ever-present nature of ancestral forces. They are not fixed in time, but active - watching, holding, and shaping the conditions through which life continues. Beneath them, layered human forms represent genealogy: the accumulation of ancestors, knowledge, and lived experience. These figures are not passive foundations, but active carriers of tradition - who uphold, remember, and give life to what came before.

Together, the composition reflects a reciprocal relationship. We are not separate from our atua - we are born from them, shaped by them, and responsible for their continuation. Through practice, memory, and belief, we keep these forces alive. To “come forth from ‘Avaiki” is not simply to emerge, but to carry depth into the present. It is to recognise that what sustains us - spiritually, culturally, and collectively -remains beneath us, within us, and around us. 

Raniera Ellison | BIOGRAPHY
Raniera is well-known in Rarotonga for his work across various mediums. He has produced hundreds of artistic pieces in shell as a carver, on skin as a tattoo artist, and is responsible for several iconic organisation logos across the Cook Islands with his graphic design. Raniera’s deep commitment to story-telling shines across his artistic portfolios and we are humbled to receive his work for the 2027 AAPS Conference: Mei Avaiki Mai.

Follow Raniera at @AkairoCreative

The mountains - te pae maunga - of Rarotonga.

Credit to Daniel Fisher & Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Jun 22, 2021 | 4000px x 2252px | JPG.

The image has been used in alignment with CITC’s use agreement and promotion of the Cook Islands.

The ‘ei pupu is a shell necklace, once prolific and made across the Cook Islands, especially for those departing on international flights where travelers were unable to take flora on board as they crossed international borders.

The image on the front page of the conference website is taken from Te Papa Tongarewa’s online image gallery of its Pacific Cultures Collection. Per the museum’s use rights, the item’s details are as follows:

Name: ei (shell necklace)
Production: Unkown; Cook Islands
Classification: necklaces
Materials: shell (animal material), seed
Dimesions: Overall: 1750mm (length)
Registration Number: FE012059/2
Credit line: Gift of Mr J.D. Hutchin, 1948

The image can be found online at this link.

The iconic buses of Rarotonga travel clock-wise and anti-clockwise on the hour, starting in the main town, Avarua, at Cook’s Corner. Flag it down anywhere you see it coming toward you on the Ara Tapu (Main Road).

Image credit goes to Cook Islands Tourism Corporation and Ine Sosene, 10 Feb 2024. 760px ⨉ 3840px | Day3__084.jpg

The pate is a key part of the drum ensemble in Cook Islands music and is considered a cultural treasure of the music and dance tradition in the Cook Islands. Known for its sharp, punctuated staccato, the pate is used in performance but can also be seen used in ceremony and in daily life to call the people to attention.

The image on the front page of the conference website is taken from Te Papa Tongarewa’s online image gallery of its Pacific Cultures Collection. Per the museum’s use rights, the item’s details are as follows:

Name: pate (drum)
Production: Rarotonga
Classification: drums, percussion instruments
Materials: wood
Dimesions: 135, 164, 975
Registration Number: FE000835
Credit line: Gift of Alexander Turnbull, 1913

The image can be found online at this link.

The woven garlands in this image are made of maire (outer green-coloured garland) a fragrant vine, found in abundance on Ma’uke’s makatea. ‘Ei maire are often used to adorn dignitaries and guests of honour and are a sacred symbol during many ceremonies of the Cook Islands. The inner ‘ei is made of assorted fragrant tiare (flowers), used to adorn those with aro’a (care and affection).

The image shows ‘ei woven by Rito Enua Creations, a purveyor of freshly made ei’s, seasonal fruits and veggies, seafood and unique handmade crafts from the island of Ma’uke.

The pandanus tree fruit (called ara in Māori) is commonly used in the making of ‘ei (garlands) for its fragrance and bright colours. ‘Ei makers will look carefully for pandanus fruits that are ready to open and are the right colour, before picking them, pulling apart the keys and preparing them for being strung together.

Credit to the Hilo Lei Day Festival for this beautiful image showing the rich colour of the ara fruit.