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