Ministry for Pacific Peoples — Cook Islands Māori Language Week

Sam Puati-Ellison

Kia Orana! My name is Samantha Puati-Ellison and I was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, until I was 12 years old. My family and I then moved to the Cook Islands to learn more about our Cook Islands heritage. After almost 22 years we are still here and Rarotonga is now home to us.

My husband and I have three awesome kids – Kahana, Meremaraea, and Nikuru – and we all enjoy different ocean sports. In 2009 I studied a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health at the University of Auckland and after completing my studies I came back home to teach at the national college. I taught on and off for around eight years before starting work with VSA in July 2022 to become the Cook Islands Country Programme Coordinator.

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