Project celebrates cultural identity through fashion

The Aku Panga project is inspiring young Cook Islanders to connect with their cultural identities, especially for those with mixed heritage.

Paul Haggai, the project’s director, says that many Cook Islands children with mixed backgrounds face challenges in embracing all parts of their identity.

Haggai says the fashion show project aims to help young people feel proud of who they are by fostering a deeper connection to their heritage.

As part of the celebration for the fashion show’s 10th anniversary, Haggai chose Wendy Pihigia, a young girl of Cook Islands and Niuean descent, to represent the brand.

In an interview with PMN Niue, Haggai says that many young people struggle to balance their multiple cultural identities.

Haggai says the project doesn’t just focus on fashion and modelling, it also aims to teach young people important life skills that will help them carry their cultural values into their daily lives.

He says both Pihiniga’s cultures face similar challenges, like preserving their languages and identities.

Haggai believes that it’s crucial for adults to guide the younger generation, helping them confidently embrace both sides of their heritage

“Young people sometimes find it a hard struggle to be more one or the other,” he says.

Aku Yanga fashion show 2020. Photo/Aku Yanga/Facebook.

“A lot of techniques and skills they learn as models…But they will take the values and principles that we’ve learned in the show and apply them in their everyday walk of life.

“This is just another stepping stone for us to navigate and shape the way Wendy carries both her ancestors of Niue and Cook Island descent.”

While young people might find it hard to speak their native languages fluently, understanding them is a positive first step.

Haggai says it is important for young people to recognise themselves as part of the Cook Islands and Niue.

Through his role as director, he hopes to inspire mixed-heritage youth to celebrate both parts of their identity with pride.

“It’s a great way for us to sharpen that publicly and encourage lots of young people to utilise whatever platform they have to strengthen their identity,” he says.

Watch Paul Haggai and Wendy Pihigia's full interview here.