“Our kids do have cultural knowledge that their parents have passed on to them, but it’s just that they don’t know how great that knowledge is
or that it can be a pathway for their future.
We want to show them that pathway.”

Joshua Jim

Josh is a passionate guardian of Atiu's cultural heritage and leads Kōrero o te 'Ōrau's 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango programme on the island. Raised by his maternal grandparents, he learned traditional skills like Tapa cloth making and Tivaivai sewing from his grandmother, knowledge he now shares with Atiu's youth. He is also a competitive athlete in Cook Islands traditional sports, representing the nation in coconut tree climbing and rock lifting at the Heiva Tū'aro Mā'ohi Traditional Games in Tahiti, where he has placed among the top climbers in the region.  Alongside his partner Maui Matakino, he runs the Atiu Punarea Culture Tours and leads the island's Rising Stars Championship, a sports and leadership programme for local students. Joshua's work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring Atiu's youth stay connected to both their cultural roots and their environment.