Culture.gov.ck
Title
CULTURE COOK ISLANDS | Cook Islands Ministry of Culture and Development
Description
In 1975 a Culture Division was created under the umbrella of the Department of Internal Affairs. This initiative embraced various Cook Islands cultural activities including a refinement of material and performing arts programmes. Three years later the Culture Division was closed down and merged with the Tumu Korero Division. The year 1979 saw the cessation of the Tumu Korero Division. In recognition of the need to have firmly established organisations which focused on the Cook Islands culture, a ministry was set up under the Ministry of Cultural Development Act 1990. The Maori name for the ministry was also accepted as Tauranga Vananga which reflected the focus of the ministry on traditional knowledge and the preservation, perpetuation and enhancement of the Cook Islands Cultural Heritage.
The main function of the Ministry is the preservation, enhancement and promotion of the Cook Islands culture. Our aims and objectives are to uphold and maintain the following;
Preserve, perpetuate and enhance the Cook Islands Cultural Heritage in order to uphold tradition and develop an appreciation for this important national heritage;
