Cook Islands

Cook Islands
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Location of the Cook Islands
National AssemblyCook Islands
Statistics:
Total Population
 -  UN 2021[1] 17,003
Bahá'í pop.
 -  Bahá'í source  
 -  Non-Bahá'í source 157
Related media
Categories: Cook Islands • People
Map of Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is an island country with 15 islands in Polynesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It is located northeast of New Zealand, west of French Polynesia, and east of Samoa and Niue. 15 islands with a total land area of 236.7 square kilometers (91 sq mi). It controls 1,960,027 square kilometers (756,771 sq mi) of ocean. The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand.[2] The Cook Islands include the island of Niue, although it is over near Tonga and is not under Cook Island administration. As such a separate visa is required to visit it.[3]

History[edit]

The first Cook Islands Bahá'ís with pioneer Mrs. Edith Danielson to the Cook Islands in 1955.

The Cook Islands were first assigned for development to the National Spiritual Assembly of the South America in 1953.[4]

Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Mrs. Edith Danielson, first pioneer to the Cook Islands, arrived on October 14, 1953. After several days, someone asked her about her telegrams to the World Center and she was able to talk at length about the Bahá'í Faith. One contact read every Bahá'í book she had with her. She was presented with many opportunities to present the Faith.[5]

Edith set up her home on the beach at Muri. She had a Hammond organ and when she got the generator hooked and was able to play, people started flocking to her home to listen to the music. The next few nights, droves of people came to listen. There would be 35 in the house, twenty outside in the lattice, and ten hanging over the windowsill back of the organ. So many young men came that her home became known as the YMBC (Young Men's Bahá'í Club). One young man, who stood on the road and directed others to the home was nicknamed "the Prophet." A few were sincerely interested and asked for weekly fireside. Some of these wanted private study classes in addition. Lessons soon became daily. On March 8, 1954, the first Cook Islander enrolled in the Bahá'í Faith. The constant effort soon became overwhelming and Wednesday nights were reserved for Bahá'í discussion only.[6]

In March of 1956, it was reported that there were nine Bahá'ís in Muri on the island of Rarotonga. In preparation for forming an Assembly at Rid Ván they were holding practice elections every 6 weeks to help them understand and gain experience with Bahá'í administration. The Bahá'í Fund was also difficult for them to fully understand. They had to appoint an assistant treasurer, because the treasurer could not even read and write his own language. They were very proud that they were able to collect funds.[7]

The Cook Islands were assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands in 1959.Mrs. Margerty McCormick represented the United States at the first Annual Convention of the Bahá'ís of the South Pacific Islands. There were 60 people in attendance including 9 delegates and visitors from several areas including the Cook Islands, Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone, five Auxiliary Board members and five Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [8]

Pe Tepaeru Ariki, Lady Davis, hereditary ruler and president of the House of Ariki.

Pe Tepaeru Ariki, hereditary ruler and president of the House of Ariki, declared on October 4, 1959, and went on to serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Te Au O Tonga and the Assembly of Takitumu.[9]

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean. Left to right, front row: Mr. Idris, Miss Irene Jackson, Mrs. Mary Tuataga, Hand of the Cause, H. Collis Featherstone. Back row: Latu Tu’akihekola, Stephen Percival, Lisiate Maka. Absent: Miss Mabel Sneider, Joe Russell, Richard Welland.

In 1964, the National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands was dissolved. The first Regional Convention for the South Pacific Ocean was held at the Masonic Hall in Suva, Fiji from April 23 to 25. It was reported that there were now 1,900 believers in the South Pacific Islands and literature had been translated into 24 languages. As a new Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) was beginning and the convention recomended that someone from Tonga or Samoa assist the believers in the Cook Islands. The new National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean was formed.[10]

For a week in early June 1967, the Bahá'ís of Rarotonga provided a display on Race Unity at the Rarotonga Library and Museum Society and placed notices in the local newspaper explaining the purpose of Race Unity Day. The display included a globe depicting the diversity of mankind with pictures from Ebony magazine, posters and books on racial unity problems, as well as Bahá'í books on the oneness of mankind.[11]

The National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga and the Cook Islands, 1970

The National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga and the Cook Islands was formed in 1970.[12]

In 1973, Nan Greenwood from Canada pioneered to the Cook Islands.[13]

In 1979, at the end of the Five Year Plan (1974-1979), the Cook Islands reported having 2 Local Spiritual Assemblies with 1 incorporation, 5 localities and all property goals attained.[14]

November 28-30, 1980, 49 people attended the Cook Islands Summer School at the Hazíratu'l-Quds in Rarotonga. Special guests during the summer school were Dr. Thomas Davis, the premier of the Cook Islands, and his wife Pa Tepaara Ariki, Lady Davis, hereditary ruler, who is a Bahá'í.[15]

In 1985, Sir Thomas Davis, the prime minister of the Cook Islands sent a letter to the prime minister of Iran protesting the unjust treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran. In his letter he stated that "The treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran has tarnished the reputation of the great religion of Islam throughout the world, and is far from the principle of tolerance for other believers in God established by Muhammad and enshrined in the Koran."[16]

With the assistance from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in the form of literature, funds, and travel teachers, the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands was formed with its seat in Rarotonga. [17][18]

On August 3rd to 4th of 1986, Prime Minister, Sir Thomas Davis, of the Cook Islands, along with his wife Pe Tepaareu Ariki (Lady Davis) a Bahá'í, visited the Bahá'í World Center. The Prime Minister requested consultation with the Universal House of Justice regarding world peace. This meeting represented the most concrete response to the Peace Statement to date. They also visited the Shrine of the Báb and the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. A banquet was held in their honor at the Seat of the Universal House of Justice and ended with lunch at Mazra'ih.[19]

Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone, Counsellor Tinai Hancock and Pa Tepaera Ariki as well representatives from the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. In October 1987, more than 500 gathered for a National Teaching Conference in Wanganue, New Zealand. The attendance included more than 15 nationalities including the Cook Isalands. The major topic of consultation was the Six Year Plan goal of "Unity in Diversity."[20][21]

On February 2, 1990, Pe Tepaareu Ariki, Lady Davis, wife of the former prime minister of the Cook Islands, Sir Thomas Davis, died in New Zealand. The 68-year old Ariki, lovingly known to her people as "Auntie Pa," ws one of the Cook Islands' earliest Bahá'ís, having accepted the Faith more than 30 years ago. She served on the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands and attended the dedication of the House of Worship in Apia, Western Samoa. In 1985, she presented the peace statement to her husband, the prime minister, on behalf of the National Assembly of the Cook Islands.[22]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "World Population Prospects 2022". population.un.org. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Cook Islands". Wikipedia.
  3. ↑ Baha'i News (1954). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 278, Pg(s) 4. View as PDF.
  4. ↑ Baha'i News (1953). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 273, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  5. ↑ Baha'i News (1954). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 278, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  6. ↑ Baha'i News (1955). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 296, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  7. ↑ Baha'i News (1956). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 301, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  8. ↑ Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 341, Pg(s) 4-5. View as PDF.
  9. ↑ ???
  10. ↑ Baha'i News (1964). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 402, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
  11. ↑ Baha'i News (1967). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 439, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  12. ↑ Baha'i News (1972). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 500, Pg(s) 22. View as PDF.
  13. ↑ Baha'i News (1973). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 505, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
  14. ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 581, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
  15. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 603, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  16. ↑ Baha'i News (1985). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 649, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  17. ↑ Baha'i News (1987). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 676, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  18. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1976). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 15 (1968-1973), Pg(s) 275. View as PDF.
  19. ↑ Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 666, Pg(s) 2. View as PDF.
  20. ↑ Baha'i News (1988). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 686, Pg(s) 16. View as PDF.
  21. ↑ Baha'i News (1985). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 652, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
  22. ↑ Baha'i News (1990). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 710, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.

See also[edit]

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