Our
Story.

This vision did not begin in a boardroom. It began at Pa Marie Upokotini Ariki’s home.

In the strength and care of her household, the commitment to protect, restore, and grow Te Reo Māori Kuki Airani was first affirmed. From her home to our Centre, and from her heart to our pēpē, this has been carried by ngakau aro‘a, courage, and steady leadership.

July 2025 marked 12 months since we opened our doors. For one full year, we have nurtured our tamariki in total immersion, grounded in our reo Māori, our culture, and the belief that language is identity.

This work is possible because of Pa Ariki. She did not simply support the Centre. She championed the vision, helped bring it into being, and entrusted our community to grow it for generations.

Pa Marie Upokotini Ariki, meitaki ranuinui for your trust, guidance, and the legacy you continue to shape. We are proud to carry it forward.

From the Heart of

Pa Marie Upokotini Ariki

“The Movement Came First, Legal Structure Followed“

We did not start with a legal structure as the first priority. We started with the movement. Our focus was to begin and deliver total immersion for our pēpē and tamariki when the need was urgent.

We are grateful we were able to operate as a project under Tamariki Kuki Airani Trust (TAKA Educational Trust) in the early phase. That support allowed us to open, deliver, and build momentum while we worked through the right governance and legal arrangements in parallel.

The TAKA Educational Trust is a registered charitable organisation established to advance education for Cook Islands children and students, with a focus on those facing financial or social disadvantage. TAKA began from a personal commitment to support a Cook Islands child through fostering, and grew into a wider education trust that invests in opportunities that strengthen skills, confidence, and long term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

We acknowledge TAKA’s guidance and practical support during our early phase. We have now established our own legal structure, building on the foundation TAKA helped make possible. More information about TAKA is available on their website.

Thank You to TAKA for Supporting Our Early Foundations

Chairman & Trustee: Mario Caffery
Trustee: Chiavanni Le'Mon
Trustee: Halatoa Fua
Trustee & Legal Council: Antony Will

From Vision to Foundation

Te Pū‘ara Api‘i Pōtiki was founded when a long held community vision for Cook Islands Māori immersion in the early years was put into action by three mums, Chiavanni Le’Mon, Selane Tairea, and Merita Tuari‘i. In the first phase, the priority was delivery, so the Centre opened and operated while governance and legal arrangements were developed in parallel.

In our early stage, we trialled the operating names Te Punanga Reo o Takitumu and later Te Ko‘anga Reo o Takitumu.

Our first Centre pēpē were Tevaiarii Whakakaua, Akeinangaro Tairea, and Esther Tuarii. Their early days in total immersion marked the beginning of a new pathway for our community.

TAKA provided the legal and administrative base that enabled enrolments, staffing, programme delivery, and daily operations with appropriate oversight during establishment. Pa Marie Ariki and Tupe Ariki supported the Centre through venue, leadership, and traditional protection.

As demand and responsibility grew, the Centre formalised its own standalone legal structure as Te Pū‘ara Api‘i Pōtiki Trust. We are now progressing a partnership with the Ministry of Education and preparing to transition to Te Papa o Api‘i Rutaki, supporting a seamless immersion pathway into the national early childhood education system.

First Steps for Te Pū‘ara Api‘i Pōtiki