Bernard (Bernice) Tairea (1970s - 24 December 2023) was a broadcaster in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. He had a 30-year career in broadcasting and was a major contributor to Cook Island language broadcasting in New Zealand through Pacific Media Networks.

Biography

Tairea was born in the 1970s in Dunedin, New Zealand. He gained education in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Australia.[1] Tairea completed his schooling at Tereora in the Cook Islands.[2] His first broadcasting experience was at age 11, on Teen Scene Radio for Radio Cook Islands.[2] His later work experience in the Cook Islands included with Telecom and the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa.[1] In the Cook Islands he was part of the Taakoka Dance Troupe.[1]

In 2002 Tairea moved back to New Zealand and soon after started working for Radio 531PI, and helped establish Niu FM.[3][4] Tairea was a host and producer of Pacific Media Networks' Cook Islands Language Show for many years.[5][3] He was an advocate for young people to have an interest in Pasifika languages and supported quality broadcasting in language programmes and also mainstream media.[6]

Tairea also contributed to the Pasifika Festival for 20 years including as the Cook Islands village co-ordinator.[4][7]

Death

Tairea died on 24 December 2023. Fellow broadcaster Seumanu Te’eva Matāfai acknowledged Tairea's long service for the Cook Islands and Pacific communities.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tributes flow for Cook Islands broadcaster". NZ Herald. 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  2. 1 2 Good, Feona Mo'ardi (9 October 2006). "From Teen Scene, to the Big Scene". Cook Islands Herald Online Edition. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. 1 2 Ryan, Aaron. "Prominent Cook Islands broadcaster dies at only 49". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  4. 1 2 "Celebrating 30 years of Pasifika Festival - now Taste of Pasifika". NZ Herald. 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  5. 1 2 "Prominent broadcaster Tairea dies aged 49". Cook Islands News. 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  6. ↑ "Cook Islands language champion and broadcaster leaves behind inspiring legacy". PMN | Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  7. ↑ "Roy Vaughan and Bernard Tairea - Pasifika at 25". RNZ. 2017-03-26. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
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