As we continue our celebrations of Cook Islands Language Week 2021, we’re joined now by Taiau Makirere Nicholas. 

Taiau travelled to New Zealand in 1974 after giving birth to her first child. She was brought up by her grandparents in Aitutaki. 

Coming from Aitutaki, Tiau acknowledges the guidance of the late Roger and Rosie Blake. According to Taiau, it was these two who prepared her for what to expect in New Zealand. 

Supporting her children's school and being involved with culture, Taiau became a board member for Tangaroa College from 1989-2011.

Today she is still helping out with culture at Tangaroa College.

She believes teaching is easier through dance and culture, but parents have to show their support too by supporting school lessons from home. She said she will keep doing what she's doing until she can't do it anymore. 

Amongst one of her many compositions is the famous Akatokamanava, noku e….