Rico's Haircutting

From boy to man – a male rite of passage - is a common practice in many cultures around the world.

In parts of the Cook Islands this process is symbolised through the cutting of a boys hair which has not been cut from birth. This short piece looks at Rico Tarai’s haircutting ceremony in Tokoroa which has a strong Cook Island community. We hear from his mum Teokotai Tarai the reasons for continuing this tradition with her son.

Film makers bio:  Kia orana, my name is Ratu Ratu. I am a Cook-Island-New Zealander now living in Hamilton with my wife and four children. While living in Taiwan I became interested in videography and started to develop my filming and editing skills.  We came back to New Zealand in 2007 where I started off my business in my home town, Tokoroa. We have moved up to Hamilton now and I'm happy to offer my services in this great city.