Director / Chair

Gina Tavioni Bamber

Gina has become an advocate for cultural education and creative projects, collaborating with her Uncle Mike Tavioni. She has inherited a deep love for Cook Islands crafts and cultural arts. She strives to empower individuals through the arts, looking to create a sustainable future for the creative and cultural sectors. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce with a Marketing major and a certificate in Human Resource Management, a background in accounting and policy, Gina combines her expertise in business with her passion for culture and community. 

Vice Chair 

Glenda Tuaine

Glenda Tuaine is an event producer and arts promoter based in Rarotonga. As Company Director of Motone Productions, she oversees creative projects in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Tahiti and Wellington. In 2019, Glenda received the Creative New Zealand Special Recognition Arts Pasifika Award. She produces tours, opera events, and directed an award-winning short film about Cook Islands artist Mike Tavioni. Glenda also runs Kuki Creative, a youth initiative. Glenda believes that with the right ecosystem, the creative economy can flourish.

Secretary

Jacinda Staufer

Jacinda, alongside her husband Franz, co-owns and manages an accommodation business in Rarotonga. Together, they run whatcanidoinrarotonga.com, a platform dedicated to promoting local businesses and community initiatives at no cost. Jacinda also designs websites and supports community members in achieving their online promotion goals, using creative strategies to foster meaningful connections.

Jacinda brings her strong background in administration, coordination, business management and operations management to her role in the Executive.

Treasurer

Shaun Bamber

Shaun is a New Zealand Maori-Pakeha with iwi links to Ngati Kahu, Te Aupouri, and Ngati Kuri. He moved to Rarotonga in 2018 with his wife Gina and their children. With a background in journalism, including roles at TV Guide and Fairfax Media, he has covered diverse personalities in entertainment. Shaun’s published poetry appears in Landfall magazine, and he holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) in Marketing and Media Studies from the University of Waikato. He is dedicated to supporting the growth of the creative economy in the

Cook Islands.

Executive Member

Mahiriki Tangaroa

Mahiriki Tangaroa graduated from Ilam School of Fine Arts, Canterbury University, in 1997. Returning to the Cook Islands in 1998, she has been a key figure in Rarotonga's contemporary art scene. As former Director/Curator of the Cook Islands National Museum, she initiated artist residencies, exhibitions and workshops. Her exhibition history includes shows in Rarotonga, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Sydney, New York, Stockholm, France and Venice. Mahiriki brings extensive leadership and expertise in cultural development with a focus on supporting and growing the creative and cultural sector in the Cook Islands.

Executive Member

Bernadette King

Bernadette is of Cook Islands and Aotearoa Maori descent.  With nearly five years of mentorship from renowned carvers Mike and Awhitia Tavioni, she specialises in wood and stone carving. Bernadette teaches traditional carving and pareu (sarong) printing to youth and visitors. In 2023, she earned a diploma in traditional vaka making. She also owns her own business 'Rakau Pu Rakau,' crafting handmade block print pareu and producing a mix of contemporary and traditional carvings. Bernadette is an active member of the society. She is one of six local artists working out of Ngakau.