11/08/2025
This year, Married by Poko was honoured to be part of Aku Yanga, celebrating a remarkable 10 years of Cook Islands fashion, creativity, culture, skills, business, and entrepreneurship. It was such a blessing to contribute our time and creativity to this milestone event. ๐
A heartfelt congratulations to Paul Aree your family, and your incredible team for the vision, dedication, and hard work that have led to this amazing success. Thank you for inviting Married by Poko to share in this journey and to be part of such an inspiring celebration. Hereโs to the next chapter of excellence and growth! ๐ฅฐ
Love Poko x
AKU YANGA would not have been possible without the many hands that have contributed to its events and project. As we wind down and recover from an exceptional event, we would like to acknowledge the many hands that have contributed to our project, Aku Yanga.
First and foremost, we give all praises and glory to God, our Heavenly Father, who always guides our way and provides for all our needs
With Him, we were able to do the things we were able to do while He did the impossible for us.
Our Kuki Market Trade Day event team - Rosaline, Ash, Tye, Niva, Alan, Tyla, Cristal, Puretu.
Our Kuki Market Trade Day Vendors:
The Hungry Bully's, Humaria, Pare Tฤkai, Kreative Kuki, Ipu Otai, Aunty Cel's Kitchen, Crown Institue of Learning, Bridgette, Kozy Kai - what a beautiful and successful day it was to witness Kuki entrepreneurs in one space somewhat exhibit their skills, talent and entrepreneurship.
Our Humaria VIP Exclusive Event Team - Tazz, Nyree, Liz, Denzel, Hayley, Marekino, Puretu, Marike, Gerardus, Leti and Ash.
Our guests, Maine Purotu of Australia, Melbourne Victoria - Petra Mataiti, Lydia T**a and Bonnie Autupuna and Azaleiya.
Our Aku Yanga Cook Islands Fashion Show 2025 Team - Marz, Tekounui, Eliana, Helen, Alan, Moeroa, Nona, Peri, FJ, Marike, Puretu, Aaron, Frances, Eaviak, Harley, Elias, Mila, Tahralina, Geradus, Leti.
Our Aku Yanga 2025 Designers:
DaniFai & Reay Designs, Nassau Sisters, Humaria, DNJ Designs, Kreative Kuki, Tutapu Designs, Ariikz Kreations, Petronilla Mino of Sounds of Polynesia.
Our Aku Yanga 2025 Models:
Ashanti, Killis, Manisha, Unaonga, Azaliyah-Rose, Maliana-Tupouhere, TaiLei, Mary, Dion, Akaina, Anita, Dayna, Sofila, Tangiia, Lina, Kaison, Charles, Wendy, Tevairangi, Bonnie, Lydia and Petra.
Our Contributers:
The Hungry Bully, The Aunties, Bubus Lashes, Elaine & Patrick Inapapa Family, Toni Phillipa Families, Pihigia Familys, Masters Family, Yazmin Augustine Productions, Frances Nichols, Hagai Family, Eaviak Bishop, Tazz Lio, Liz Agaimalo, Puretu Puangi Family, Lyneth Junior, Harley-Rose, Leva Sean, Ladyk-Kavau Styles, Vertiska Kavau, Geradus Verspeek, Leti Kamira, Married by Poko, Crown Institue of Learning, Catherine Lio, Soundz of Polynesia, Dani Fai Raey-Karaati, Tutapu, Te Vaerua O te Rangi, Gorilla Cartell, PMN Cook Islands.
Our 10 year anniversary celebrates the language and success of our Cook Islands people in Fashion and in tribute we dedicate the long work of all our past designers, past models and mostly our loved ones that have gone to rest before us whom are the drive and passion behind Aku Yanga ๐Vaevae Ngere, Helen Hagai, Stephen Nassau, Teokotai Pareanga, Kiniika Akai๐ just to name a few.
As we are optimistic of what lies ahead, we want to encourage our people to continue to raise hands and continue to fashion the way we can connect, develop and elevate our Cook Islands people, our culture and our languages so it lives on.
And lastly, to the Aku Yanga Director, Paul Aree, without your love, time and dedication to connect, develop and elevate our Cook Islands people and culture through Fashion, this Aku Yanga platform wouldn't have reached a great milestone of 10X consecutive years of bringing together our Cook Islands people and culture to the forefront since 2016.
Without your vast expertise and passion, Aku Yanga would not have lasted thus far and thus long.
Atawai Wolo, Atawai Wolo, Atawai Wolo lava tu ki te langi tiketike na wi mea takatoa.
