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Pukapuka (Cook Islands)

image by Ivan Sache, 3 September 2022

Description of the flag
Flag in 2020

See also:

Cook Islands

Description of the flag

From https://www.facebook.com/groups/379663059176774/posts/1423876498088753/
The new Pukapuka-Nassau flag 2022 was put together by key Pukapukan leaders in Rarotonga with full endorsement from Te Kau Wowolo ote Wenua in Pukapuka.
They agreed to keep the design of the flag simple, and desired each symbol to have strong cultural significance to the islands of Pukapuka and Nassau.

Colors
Blue is the national color of Pukapuka.
There are three main villages on Pukapuka and each have their own sports colors.
Ngake: Red
Roto: White
Yato: Blue

Woe (paddle)
The design of the woe is unique to Pukapuka.
The woe is a significant tool used to paddle forward to reach our destination, or to aim for and achieve our goals in life, so it represents the cycle of life from birth to death. In order for us to move forward we need to use our woe to achieve the best out of life.
The two woe crossing together signify the "unity" of a village, the various lineages, and the people as a whole. This is the spirit of bringing the people together as has always been echoed in these four authoritative visionary declarations: “Mānava Pukapuka”, “Te Wenua Ke Malanga”, "Vālea loa ia Pukapuka” and “Taku lākau mai Pukapuka”. The two woe have been placed above in the red box to highlight the objectives of unity and peace within the people.

Vaka (canoe)
The vaka is used in many competitive sea sports in Pukapuka, it is used as a mode of transport and travel as well as for food security. The vaka is in a shape of a traditional Pukapuka canoe and a sail. The design is unique to Pukapuka and shows the "Yiku o te Mangō" (Tail of the Shark), which represents our strong voyaging history from as far as Fiji and Kiribati and most of East Polynesia and beyond.
The bow of the canoe is sailing forward away from the stars, as a symbol of navigational success, advancing to reach our destination (Wenua) and dwellings in life, achieving our goals and aspirations.

Wetu (stars)
The two stars represent Pukapuka and Nassau.
The big star represents the main land, Pukapuka.
The small star represents the smaller inhabited islet of Nassau.
The big star also signifies Takuputea, the bright morning star, just as God watches over the people of Pukapuka and Nassau. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our bright and morning star recorded in the book of
Revelation 22:16. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star”.

Photos
https://cookislands.travel/sites/default/files/styles/full_win/public/2022-02/ci%20games%202022.jpeg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fa4dBOaagAABCaY.jpg
Ivan Sache, 3 September 2022

Flag in 2020

image by Ivan Sache, 3 September 2022

Photo of the flag used in 2020
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2980079545431910&set=pcb.2980087725431092
Ivan Sache, 3 September 2022

The flag of Pukapuka and Nassau has been changed for the upcoming 2022 Cook Island Games. The boat is now in the middle of the flag and the crossed paddles (?) have been moved to the red canton.
Brendan Hennessy, 2 September 2022