Upcoming Cook Island performers were in the spotlight at the Cook Islands Has Talent competition in Rarotonga.
From emotional ballads to powerhouse performances, from soul-felt guitar to traditional ukulele showcases, the competition uncovered hidden gems in the island community.
Fourteen performers entered the spotlight, vying for $10,000 worth of prize money and a recording deal with Heimana Music Distribution.
After a month of competition, 12-year-old vocal powerhouse Terā-'itirere-ki-Avaiki Rongo, known affectionately as Mama Ra, was declared the winner.
Taking to social media, Mama Ra expressed her surprise and acknowledged her fellow competitors.
"Congratulations to all the contestants who have gone through this journey with me from the start to the end! We are warriors!"
"I appreciate everyone's support throughout my four-week journey on Cook Islands Has Talent! Meitaki Ma'ata to my family, especially my sister Konini, who helped keep me going!"
The Cook Islands Has Talent competition saw singers, dancers and instrumental artists enter the spotlight. Photo: Supplied / Radio Cook Islands
Organizer Sisi Short said the event created a new buzz of excitement on the island.
"Yeah, it became quite popular, especially for the people who can't get out; they watch it on CITV, and the talent has been great, with young ones aged from 10 upwards who are very talented; its been very enjoyable for everyone on the island."
One of the judges, Paul Lynch, said there was great potential amongst the competitors.
"There's a lot of natural talent with voice, dancing, singing, and entertaining performances. Cook Islanders are real performers. I knew that this competition would attract some great talent, and it has; some of them are world-class."
Lynch, who is renowned for his Elvis impersonation performances in the Cook Islands, said he joined a similar talent competition in 1996 that kicked off his own public singing career.
He encouraged the competitors to hone in on their craft.
"And so it comes down to voice, presence, and performance; they've got to own the stage. They've got to really show all their talents - if it's playing or singing - and really don't leave anything undone, they need to give their best performance when they get on stage."
Students of Cook Islands musician Kutia Tuteru showcase their Ukarere skills. Photo: Supplied / Radio Cook Islands
While the competition was shining a light on talented contestants, it was also a fundraising initiative for the Cook Islands-based Niuean community.
The public was invited to vote via text for their favourite competitors to move through the rounds.
Texts cost a dollar, which Sisi Short said will go towards constructing a Fale Niue - hostel in Rarotonga.
She said the $2 million project will support the hundreds of Niueans living in the Cook Islands and bridge a gap between the two neighbouring countries.
"This is the big reason why we're building this for the Niueans and we are going to use it to do things like learning the language, for instance and Niuean culture. And talking about Niueans here, there would be 400 to 600 Niueans overall at the moment."
Short was astounded when, upon being announced the winner of Cook Islands Has Talent, Mama Ra generously gave back her prize money as a donation to the Fale Niue project.
