Cook Islands women are dancing their way into healthier, happier lives through traditional dance.
CC Tamure Fitness was founded in 2019 by champion dancer Moana Taio, who found herself feeling disconnected as Cook Islands borders closed during the covid pandemic.
She launched free fitness classes through Facebook Live, combining tamure – traditional dance – with high cardio exercise.
Her first session attracted more than 400 participants worldwide. When restrictions eased, the classes moved into the real world, where there are now three classes a week, and virtual programmes offered online.
The music is pumping, hips are swaying and the room is full of women working up a sweat. It is exercise, but with a distinct Cook Islands flavour.
For one CC Tamure Fitness instructor, Maria Ngatikao, the classes have become a place where women can come together and encourage each other to stay active while connecting with their culture.
“It’s definitely a safe space for us as women. We can leave behind all our daily, everyday activities, worries, our children, our husbands, and come to a place where we can embrace our culture through fitness. And, you know, the benefits of it is we are healthier, we live a healthier lifestyle, we choose to live a healthier lifestyle, and by doing so, we are happier women.”
The cultural connection can also make exercise feel less intimidating, according to fellow instructor Paige Taio.
Rather than walking into an unfamiliar gym environment, women are moving to music in ways that are already familiar.
“Our Cook Islands culture is part of who we are, and it’s our traditions and our heritage. So embracing it by coming to this fitness class is definitely easier because this is who we are, and we’re incorporating these things, these aspects, so we can have this fitness class.”
Cook Islands women are dancing their way into healthier, happier lives through traditional dance.
RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Zoe Hoff, a national dance champion and Miss International Cook Islands, said the programme offers a way to embrace Indigenous identities while improving physical fitness.
She said a big part of CC Tamure Fitness is creating a supportive community where people can work towards their health goals while celebrating culture and having fun.
“I do see CC Tamure as a way to embrace who we are, our cultural identity, and as well as improve our fitness levels. But I also see CC Tamure as our safe place where we are all able to empower each other and encourage each other and uplift one another.”
For the three instructors, they hope the women that attend their classes leave feeling empowered, healthier and happier.
“I would love for them to take back like the light, the smiles, the encouragement that we share, who we are as Cook Islanders as well. It’s just so full of life and giving,” Hoff said.
Taio added: “Our queens leave feeling confident.”
“I feel like that’s so important to us, because we’re just a small group and they come here from all their worries and stress and as soon as they leave, they have smiles on their faces, they’re happier, they’re going back home to their families and taking that same sort of energy back home.”
“Empowerment and uplifting each other. I mean that’s one of the main purposes we come here is that it’s just a place where we can come and be ourselves.”
As the women leave CC Tamure classes, they are breathless and sweaty from an intense cardio workout, but confidence radiates through their smiles as they dance their way out the door.
CC Tamure Fitness instructor Maria Ngatikao.
RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
