Taro Festival
ACTIVITIES
Under this Page we will publish photos and results of events carried out with reference to the Main Programme of Activities
Niue Talo Festival
Part 1 (Food Component) Event organised by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests held at the Niue Sports and Golf Club on the 3rd October 2024. Seen here is the famous Niue takihi (Talo dish with pawpaw and coconut cream cooked in the underground oven).
The dish is one of Niue’s protected traditional food under the Taoga Niue Act (2012). Holo Talo is similar to a pitako (talo pudding) cooked with coconut cream. A delicious start to our 50th Celebrations!
10th Anniversary Walk for Health, 10th October 2024 : “50 Years Strong – 10 Years Healthier”
A 5km Walk (from Niue Foou Car Park to Hanan International Airport and back) took place on a cool Thursday afternoon to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Event and part of the 50th Pule Fakamotu Celebrations. The Walk for Health was first introduced in 2009 as one of the activities of the bi-annual Niue Arts and Cultural Festival and included as part of the 40th Niue Pule Fakamotu programme of activities declaring 2014 – 2024 as the ‘Decade for Healthy Living’.
The event has continued to grow, highlighting the need to take ownership of our own health and wellness for our families.
The organisers would like to thank all participants who took part and we look forwards to seeing you again in 2025 and perhaps a walk around Niue during the Takai week.
Monuina 50 Tau Pule Fakamotu, Keep Staying Strong and Healthy everyone!
AVATELE VILLAGE SHOW DAY 12th October 2024
In true spirit of the 50th Celebrations, the village was adorned with colour, laughter and displays of rootcrops, arts & crafts, skills and talents of the village folks. A very joyous day for the village which commenced with the launching of the village flag -incorporating the arrival of the gospel to the village, its significance to the livelihoods of the people as portrayed by the cross on top of the Church building and divisions of the settlement and represented by the three manu folau – the frigate birds. In the Niue knowledge system, the bird when seen parading in the open sky is a sign of a storm coming. The bird is also depicted in a traditional chant and dance the village is famous for, Kua koli e Manu Folau – The movement of the Frigate Bird in a rhythmic way.
Speeches delivered by the knowledge holders of the village of the day pledged the people to appreciate the many blessings they are blessed with so it will continue to provide for generations to come. It was noted also that Avatele is one of the 3 villages that voted against Self Government in 1974. The feeling shared amongst the village folks that day was, although they were against (and with some apprehension) to the Referendum in 1974, fifty years later today the people appreciate the place and progress in development that has benefited the village and the people of Niue today. When the village made their decision in 1974, the then leader of Government, Mr. Robert R Rex (who has family ties to the village) requested the village to perform on the 19th October 1974 which they did.
Fifty years later and on the 12th October 2024, the Manu Folau went all out with the elderly, menfolk, women, youth, school children, pre-schoolers and babies (including members residing in other villages) moved rhythmically to the awe of the audience, a village within their own democratic right in determining their future. Does anyone know what is the significance of the colour purple to the village?
