Picture caption: Capturing the ra’ui ceremony in Aitutaki lagoon for the documentary, Paradise in Peril.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
The vulnerability of the South Pacific paradise of Aitutaki and its picture-perfect lagoon is the focus of a new documentary, funded by the inaugural Pacific Regional Media Fund (PRMF).
A jewel nestled in the Cook Islands, Aitutaki consists of a main island, a turquoise lagoon, and a surrounding barrier reef.
The lagoon’s waters teem with marine life, including rays, bonefish and turtles and while it has sustained generations of Polynesian people, it is under threat from rapid climate change and the effects of human habitation.
As one of six PRMF recipients, Sunpix Producer John Utanga is using funding to produce the documentary which has the working title of Paradise in Peril.
A NZ On Air collaboration with Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), the PRMF pairs Aotearoa New Zealand-based Pasifika producers with Pacific-based producers and broadcasters to create and produce content shot in the Pacific and primarily in a Pacific language with English subtitles.
Promoting story sovereignty among Pacific peoples is a key focus of the initiative.
John says it is hugely important Indigenous people tell their own stories across their own communities.
“It provides a window for the outside world into their lives and concerns while giving them an opportunity to express their hopes and fears,” John says.
Like so many island communities, the ocean is a most valuable resource.
However, this precious resource is under increasing threats from the impacts of climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
Aitutaki lagoon is no exception, and in January 2025, the local Aitutaki community re-established a traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban, in their lagoon to protect marine life and ensure sustainable resource management, with support from the National Environment Service.
John and his crew captured the ra’ui ceremony for Paradise in Peril during some early filming in January.
“Filming the ra’ui was definitely a highlight so far…it was a great day with perfect filming conditions and an early indicator of what the shoot is going to be like.”
The main filming window is in late February/March, while the documentary is expected to be completed later this year, in October or November, John adds.
Planning logistics for filming on an outer-lying island such as Aitutaki has presented some challenges for John and his crew, but a plan is in place to face any hurdles.
“I foresee our biggest headache will be how to cope with ‘island time’ given our tight filming window and also having to work on the lagoon for some time – but we will have a plan in place to cope, I’m sure.”
Born and bred in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, John is a veteran Tagata Pasifika producer/reporter and now a partner at Sunpix.
Raising awareness about the conservation of this taonga in his homeland is something close to John’s heart, but he says the ultimate goal of this project is to ensure people realise just what they have in their own communities.
“My hope is they see why it is important to look after their environment and their way of life.”
The PRMF is the first of its kind for NZ On Air, to collaboratively produce dynamic, digital-first content for a global audience.
Projects will be rolled out during 2025. Keep an eye on the Pasifika TV website for more information.
