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2025 marks 60 years of self-rule in the Cook Islands and big celebrations are planned. Emile Kaiura from the Ministry of Cultural Development is organising them and in this podcast he gives an insight into what's planned and the challenges he faces putting together the biggest party in Islands' history. He talks about what it is to be a Cook Islander and why the celebrations are an exciting "family reunion" for young and old alike. He also looks back 60 years and forward to reflect on what the future holds with the ever-present threat of climate change, fears some have around plans for seabed mining and the Islands' growing relationship with China.

(The audio clip of the Rakahanga performance in 2015 is from a recording by the Ministry of Cultural Development)

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