Keeping Pukapuka: The Motu of Self-Preservation
Project Details:
This short documentary and photography project is about the remote community on the island of
Pukapuka, a coral atoll and tiny islands in the northern group of the Cook Islands. Today the community
of Pukapuka live within their indigenous, social and environmental structure to help maintain, preserve
and continually sustain their way of life, without the constant disruption of the outside world.
Pukapuka was originally divided into three villages but overtime due to outward migration that reduced
the population the indigenous community decided to have two villages. The geographic formation of
the island includes two motu (islets), and within these three islets lies a pristine blue lagoon which bears
a rich source of seafood for their people. It is common practice to place Raui’s (land and marine
protections) over each of the motu. Access to the island is very limited and is generally by invitation only.
A 5-7 day boat ride or 2 hour jet plane flight to get to Pukapuka is available at a high cost because of the
minimal access. There are no regular scheduled flights and limited domestic cargo boats which visit
every three to four months depending on weather conditions. It is this limited access and their unique
traditional conservation, cultural practices and values that highlights a need for their beautiful story to be
heard. This documentary project will highlight to the world of how resilient and sustainable the
community of Pukapuka island is. In today’s world, their living structure proves to preserve all forms of
life today.
The encroaching challenges however which Pukapuka faces in the future is the demanding tourism
industry throughout the Cook Islands which is not quite welcomed by locals in Pukapuka. Global climate
change and environmental challenges due to rising sea levels, increasing pressure of illegal foreign
fishing within its waters, compounded with health, economic issues, and foreign influences through
technology and social media are slowly changing the mind-set of the community. The social structure
comprises of an Ariki(Paramount chief), Aronga Mana(sub-chiefs), village leaders, and the island council.
The island Mayor liaises with the other outer island government councils of the Cook Islands and central
government. There are 15 islands in the country of the Cook Island’s and Pukapuka is one of the most
isolated which sits far North of Rarotonga the main island of Cook Islands. More uniquely within
Pukapuka’s social structure, is the matriarchal system. The women on the island are highly respected and
are known to be the planters and growers and the holders of traditional knowledge on growing Taro
besides the normal creative industries.
It is their stories to be heard and told by them.
About:
My name is Alexandra Moana King, and I am a Polynesian and Maori photographer. I was born in
Opotiki, on the East Coast of Aotearoa(New Zealand) where my mothers family and tribes descend from
Whakatohea, Ngati Porou and Tuhoe.
I was raised in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, where my father comes from. Our families descend from both
the islands of Mangaia and Rarotonga. I’ve realised that my journey through photography in the last 10
years has brought me to a place of understanding how powerful our imagery can change things around
us and have an impact socially around the world. I specialise in portrait photography, photo
documentary, storytelling, and wedding photography. I have photographed over 200 weddings and
hundreds of portrait sessions with clients from around the world. It is here that I learnt how to craft
emotional stories through imagery. I’m also a mother of one and being a mother and running a business
alone has been challenging. But being a mother has taught me the most valuable lessons. In the past 3
years however through photo documentary, storytelling and reconnecting to my culture and community,
I have landed in a niche market, as an indigenous photographer, trying to make a positive impact and
give back to my communities by challenging the world view on who we are, our identities and our
traditions. In the past decade through these challenges I have learnt to focus my attention, on heavy
topics limited to social justice, our whenua(land) environment, our Moana(ocean), and the preservation of
our culture and identities. These make for powerful rewritten and new narratives, which represent
indigenous people in an truthful and authentic place. I’m a proud Indigenous artist and storyteller and
this has been my journey of reconnecting to my culture and community through my imagery and
storytelling.
Contact:
Instagram: @alexkingphotography
Location: Rarotonga, Cook Islands