Media Release
20 February 2004

Cook Island Trade Show comes to Manukau

Rito hats, black pearls and tivaevae will are some of the many products on display during the Cook Island Trade Show on 10 & 11 March 2004.

Twenty five Cook Island business people and performers will showcase their products and culture at Westfield Manukau City.

The Trade Show is an initiative to come out of the memorandum of co-operation that was signed between the Cook Islands Government and Manukau City Council.

Council's Economic Development Manager Denise Fink says that the trade delegation visit is a positive step in fostering the relationship between the city and the people of the Cook Islands.

"We are working with the Cook Islands Development Investment Board, Enterprising Manukau and the Pacific Business Trust on this visit. Our aim is to strengthen links and networking between the organisations, develop stronger trade and economic ties and promote Cook Islands exports and investment."

Justine Cook of the Development Investment Board says that all products to be showcased at the trade show are 100 percent Cook Island made. "We have handy crafts, Rito hats, fans, mother of pearl jewellery, carvings, black pearls, black pearl jewellery, apparel designed and made in the Cook Islands, tivaevae cushion and bed spreads (fine exquisite stitching with traditional designs), hand dyed and printed Pareus (lava lavas) and hand dyed sheet sets. "We will also have a cultural dance group 'Treasures from the Cook Islands' performing to pulsating drum beats of the Cook Islands throughout the day," she says.

So head down to Westfield Manukau on 10 & 11 March to check out the show, and take a piece of the Cook Islands home with you.

ENDS

Gabrielle Hinton Media Liaison Corporate Communications Manukau City Council Phone: (09) 2628900 x 8650 Fax: (09) 2625759 Email: ghinton@manukau.govt.nz

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