Story: Cook Islanders

Working on a tīvaevae (5th of 5)

Working on a tīvaevae

Amy Tauakume sits alongside her grandmother Toru Tauakume and Ina Makirere quilting. Since tīvaevae was introduced to the Cook Islands by European missionaries in the 1800s it has flourished, becoming an integral part of the culture. It is a very social activity, with groups of women gathering to cut and sew designs. Hibiscus flowers and leaves of taro and other plants feature in many of these colourful quilts, which are often used in ceremonies.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1989/4357/23a
Photograph by John Nicholson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Cook Islanders - Culture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/866/working-on-a-tivaevae (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015