Kia Orana
Dear Guests, Friends, and Members of the Etu Moana Family
As the year 2024 comes to an end, it is with pleasure we take this opportunity to reconnect with all of you. This time of year reminds us of what matters most: spending time together, enjoying moments of happiness, and simple pleasures that made each day feel rich.
This year the Cook Islands welcomed a record number of visitors! It was our great joy to share the beauty and magic of Etu Moana with many both new and familiar faces. This year saw our continued commitment to offering an exceptional, sustainable experience. Strolling through Etu Moana you will see our personal touches added throughout the year from new decorative lobby lighting, to hand-woven placemats, to newly planted outdoor shower gardens.
Perhaps best of all has been the addition of two new electric golf-carts to our fleet. Such a fun, eco-friendly way for all of our guests to explore Aitutaki! Also this year, we were delighted to grow our dedicated team with 5 new staff members, Toa, Martha, Donna, Greig and Petra. All ready to host you with a smile and a warm Kia Orana that is the heart of Etu Moana.
Finally, we are delighted to announce that Etu Moana has again been chosen as the 2024 Best of the Best for Small Hotels in the South Pacific by Trip Advisor. For this we owe a special thanks to you, our guests, for your lovely reviews throughout the year.
At Etu Moana we continue to offer the gift of simplicity - a chance to retreat into yourself. We hope, one of our Exclusive Offers may inspire you to reserve your next stay:
Enjoy being a returning guest (15% off)
One more night (Stay 6 Pay 5)
More Amour February Romance (Save $400 while enjoying our Romantic Treat)
Last minute (20% off to support spontaneous travel decisions)
We wish you a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, and a healthy New Year!
MERI KIRITIMETE
See you soon at Etu Moana
The Etu Moana Team Tiffany & Jeff, General Managers
THANK YOU - NEW ZEALAND COVID FREE COOK ISLANDS PARADISE AWAITS
The team at Etu Moana wish to take this moment by thanking all guests who visited
our little paradise during the 3 months ‘Travel Bubble’
THE PLEASURE WAS ALL OURS – MEITAKI ATUPAKA
We are now regrouping and readying our Paradise Island Resort for the next wave of guests to welcome home,
once our travel bubble reopens.
Thank you all for taking the time to write such wonderful reviews, very much appreciated
Etu Moana is now rated #1 of 10 Hotels on Aitutaki 2021 on TripAdvisor.
ADDED VALUE 2022
Solar powered E-Scooters, plus a people carrier, perfect for airport transfers and Island touring will arrive on Resort by the end of 2021 adding to our contributions for a sustainable tomorrow. Newly introduced and happily received, intimate poolside dining, local, seasonal, sustainable and with providence at the core, now available for all to enjoy.
EXTENDED FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION – APRIL 2023
As your traveling plans will have changed, we recommend to hold your deposit for an amended reservation, please keep us informed when you have decided on a new travel date. Alternatively, we will refund the deposit to you. In this case, we have to charge you the banking fees (6% of the deposit).
Please CONTACT us
Until it’s booking time again, ‘Stay safe’
Kia Manuia from all of us at Etu Moana!
Etu Moana - Aitutaki Cook Islands
“Life is what you celebrate”
Kia Orana from Etu Moana
Etu Moana team are so excited!
Our travel borders between New Zealand and Aitutaki are to be
opened for two-way Covid-free travel on the 17th May
It’s time to ‘Welcome you Home’
Cook Islands borders have been closed to the rest of the World, since March 2020.
The past 13 months has seen our local communities face and endure difficult times.
Now with thanks to the many sacrifices made by everyone,
the Cook Islands are still Covid-19 FREE!
The Health and Safety of the Islands, communities and returning family and friends has been uncompromised and prioritised making the Travel Bubble possible.
Our welcome home gift for you
1-year free cancellation up to 24hrs before arrival
The offer starts on April, 3, 2021, and applies for all new bookings
made until April, 2, 2022.
If your traveling plans might change, we recommend to hold your deposit for an amended reservation, and keep us informed when you have decided on a new travel date. Alternatively, we will refund the deposit to you. In this case, we have to charge you the banking fees (6% of the deposit).
Please CONTACT us.
It’s booking time.
Kia Manula from all of us at Etu Moana!
“Go where you feel most alive”
Kia Orana from Etu Moana
Etu Moana is ready and waiting to welcome you home!
The team are happy, and the resort is primed, all we need is for the Borders to open. When the time is right, and for our New Zealand Guests this may be in May, we will be looking forward to you returning to our Covid-19-free and safe Paradise.
Your assurance and reassurance
Your health, safety and security here is of utmost importance for reopening. We continue to follow best practices and take all precautions at our Resort, to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene, without exception. You can trust us and feel totally secure in all matters Covid-19 compliance. Leaving you to relax, enjoy, feel safe and free, simply focus on this amazing experience Aitutaki and Etu Moana offer naturally.
Life on Aitutaki
Here on Aitutaki, most people are still on minimal wage subsidy. Nevertheless, they manage, life goes on with a smile. But for those who had taken a loan from the bank, repayment becomes more and more difficult, as the other family members do not have any financial reserves either.
However, right now, everyone is preparing for Easter, and the joy of life is overpowering any burden. Many of the staff are getting involved in making this year’s Easter Service in the church a very special one. Everyone is getting more and more excited to finally greet the first guest, and to see friends and family coming home.
Your travel plans
We can’t change the worldwide restrictions on travel the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted, nor the changing travel landscape. But we can help you to make confident decisions about your current and upcoming travel plans.
This is our re-opening gift for you:
1 year free cancellation up to 24hrs before arrival
The offer starts on April, 3, 2021, and applies for all new bookings made until April, 2, 2022.
How does it work:
If your traveling plans might change, we recommend to hold your deposit for an amended reservation, and keep us informed when you have decided on a new travel date. Alternatively, we will refund the deposit to you. In this case, we have to charge you the banking fees (6% of the deposit).
Please CONTACT US
After a year of restrictions, “go where you feel most alive”.
Our white sandy beaches and the most beautiful lagoon in the world awaits you.
And we all can’t wait to meet you!
Kia manuia, Happy Easter, and all the very best from all of us here at Etu Moana!
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.”
(written by Vivian Greene *1904, selected by Hanne, Director of Etu Moana for the year 2020)
Kia Orana from Aitutaki
2020 is certainly a year to remember. In many ways the year has been very challenging but also filled with very warm moments, mutual understanding and the vision that we will welcome you in the future!
For the coming days, the Team at Etu Moana are sending you all a very Meri Kiritimiti.
As with any festivities, you need a few ingredients, so we are sharing some with a tropical twist to brighten up your celebration this merry-season.
A COCKTAIL WITH AITUTAKI VIBES
45ml Bacardi Rum
20ml Blue Curaçao Liqueur
60ml Pineapple Juice
20ml cream of coconut
Pour all into your shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a tumbler glass filled with fresh ice cubes – and garnish with fresh pineapple. Take a sip, sit back and dream of our blue lagoon in paradise.
We are in the midst of mango season here and this ham recipe is a real treat for Christmas dinner.
STICKY MANGO GLAZED HAM
Ingredients
1 Half Leg Ham (about 4.5kg)
2 cinnamon sticks or quills
4 whole cloves
2 very ripe yellow mangoes,
pitted, peeled, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups (375ml) rice wine vinegar
3/4 cup (165g) caster sugar (or more)
Pinch of ground allspice
15g thyme, tied with kitchen string
Method
Step 1: Turn on your BBQ or Oven
Step 2: Line a large baking tray with foil. Run knife over fat to lightly score it all over.
Step 3: Place ham on tray and cover with foil. Cook for around 2 hours at 190°C
Step 4: In a saucepan add cinnamon and cloves and stir for about 3 mins or until toasted.
Step 5: Add mangoes, vinegar, sugar and allspice and bring to a simmer for 10min. Remove whole spices. Blend mango mixture with 1/2 cup water and 2 tsp salt until smooth.
Step 6: When ham is ready, remove foil, increase temperature to 200°C. Using thyme as a brush, glaze the ham, cook for a further 45 minutes, basting every 10 mins with glaze until ham is evenly caramelised
Step 7: Rest ham for 10 mins and carve, serve with reserved mango glaze.
And for the finale’ – some Aitutaki Stringband music in the background to really bring back the memories of our paradise.
Looking ahead towards the New Year, we thank you sincerely for being part of Etu Moana!
Wishing you wonderful Holidays, Good Health for 2021, and all the very best!
KIA MANUIA FROM ALL OF US AT ETU MOANA.
Kia Orana
As our borders remain closed, we remain expectant and positive that in time, you will be back at Etu Moana Villas soaking up this heavenly little island of Aitutaki. In the meantime, the team at Etu Moana stride on with various projects. Nick’s has completed the new pool deck; 1216 linear meters of kwila decking and 8995 screws - it is looking fantastic and we can’t wait to see you relaxing and swimming in the new and improved ‘pool’ area.
We are not only blessed to work in paradise with the delightful Aitutakians, but we have the fortune of being part of a community of cooperation and collaboration. Time for some new nikau roofing so we reached out to the Christian Youth Group of Tautu Village to share the workload. The Minister himself and his team of committed parishioners completed the first project of the reception building, as pictured. Team Tautu bring music, laughter and camaraderie to Etu Moana and we look forward to working with them in the weeks ahead and help raise funds for their youth. We are proud of our commitment to the use of the plaited natural coconut fronds for roofing – for it’s environmental impact, ability to give back to our people and maintain Polynesian tradition.
Not only are we dedicated to progress here on the island, our Directors in Europe recently completed the project of Etu Moana’s new website. Be sure to check it out, including the new ‘Exclusive Offers” and remember your return guest code remains ‘etumoanastars2014.’
Trip Advisor
We are delighted to have been awarded the 'BEST OF THE BEST' by Trip Advisor; in the Top 25 Hotels for Best Service - South Pacific & Best Small - South Pacific.
Thank you, guests, for your vote of confidence.
As we say once again, an empty ‘Etu Moana Beach Villas’ is an empty heart and soul for us all and until we can welcome you again, we send you our Aroa (love) from us all at Etu Moana Beach Villas
KIA MANUIA FROM ALL OF THE STAFF HERE AT ETU MOANA.
Pip & Nick Goodhew
General Managers
‘Mana Tiaki’
Environmental guardian / caretaker of one’s home country
Kia Orana
We interrupt your computer time to bring you a little warmth from our little paradise, Aitutaki. The team at Etu Moana Boutique Villas knows we may be separated by oceans, but we are all in this together and we hope this email message allows you to take a break and dream about the time when you will return to our shores.
Alongside our ongoing refurbishment, we align our energies with our ‘Kia Orana Values’ current focus on Mana Tiaki – a Cook Islands’ wide programme of greater care for our environment. Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to our islands that ensures we preserve it for future generations and for you, our guests. Mana Tiaki means keeper or guardian while Mana translates as power and influence (us as keepers have the power & ability to preserve the culture and heritage of our islands). Etu Moana Villas have had a rigorous assessment, receiving praise and certification for our environmental values and operation. We were the first ‘Mana Tiaki Certified Resort’ on Aitutaki in 2019. We are also supportive members of the Te Ipukarea Society (translating to ‘our heritage’) which plays a vital role in the environmental preservation of the islands.
Aitutaki Update
Soon we will be able to celebrate getting through these times and we hope that you are keeping your spirits alive. We have been declared one of the only COVID19 Free islands in the world which is triumphant – all the sacrifices for success. We were also encouraged by the recommencement of flights between Rarotonga and Aitutaki in late April. Limited flights are bringing Rarotongan’s to Aitutaki and it is great to see a few international faces around again (workers or ‘stranded tourists’ from the mainland).
We eagerly await news of border openings and stand by enthusiastically, while working hard on procedures and protocols for re-opening to ensure our staff and our visitors are totally safe in Etu Moana’s surroundings.
Progress and Support
We are again grateful for the Government support and especially the recently announced extension until September 2020. Keeping our happy staff and working as a team around the property is essential and rewarding for us all. Minister Brown said in his statement to the country this week; “Our health and economy must move forward together- we cannot maintain our economy without considering the health and safety of our people,” Brown said. “Likewise, we cannot maintain our health system without a viable economy.” Recognition must also be given, Brown said, to the diligent work by healthcare workers and a committed public that had allowed Cook Islands to declare itself Covid-19-free.
Community
The island continues to work together in true Polynesian style of community & care, faith and family, music and laughter. The Managers at Etu Moana Villas are members of the local ‘Toa Moana’ Vaka paddling club and will be key players in a community paddling event planned for next month which is hoped will bring the island together for some competitive fun.
Continue to stay positive. We trust you and yours are in the best possible situation with imposed ‘social distancing and self-isolation’ wherever you may be around the world, and know we send very much love from us all at Etu Moana Beach Villas – ‘kia manuia’
KEEP IN CONTACT
Social media
Stay friends with us for updates on Etu Moana Villas, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands. Feel free to pick up the phone if you need to discuss a booking or plan a future stay. Perhaps you have a credit and are still not in a position to commit to any dates, we understand this is going to be a long and slow recovery.
As we said in our last email, an empty ‘Etu Moana Beach Villas’ is an empty heart and soul for us all and we have enjoyed spending a few minutes with you, reminding you that paradise will always be here. We patiently wait for the world to heal and for travel to be safe again, Until then, we sending you our Aroa (love) from us all at Etu Moana Beach Villas – ‘kia manuia’
MEITAKI ATUPAKA
KIA MANUIA FROM ALL OF THE STAFF HERE AT ETU MOANA.
Pip & Nick Goodhew
General Managers
‘Be Strong, Be Healthy & Move Forward’
Kia Orana
This is a motivating saying for us all at this time, at Etu Moana, on Aitutaki, in the Cooks Islands and around the globe. Traveling has ceased and life as we knew it put ‘on-hold.’
The island of Aitutaki has been closed to any arrivals (international or local) since the 23rd of March, with the exception of a weekly freight flight where air-crew are not allowed off the aircraft nor in contact with the Aitutakians.
The Government in Rarotonga has been extremely pro-active in keeping the outer-islands well protected from the virus, with pertinent concerns being available medical facilities plus low-immunities within the population.
New Zealand continues to support the Cook Islands with air-freight and some Islanders’ returning home, for which we are extremely grateful.
We realize the impact of all the restrictions here is minimal compared to city life and other parts of the world. But even in an idyllic spot such as Aitutaki, there are still rules and precautions including restaurants closed, no more than 10 persons gathering at one time, no group sports and evening curfews.
We have seized the days. The wonderful morning light. The birds singing. The spectacular sunsets. The wonderful sense of togetherness in the Island Community.
We are pleased to say after this four week isolation period there appears to be no Corona-virus on the island of Aitutaki.
Support and Progress
Thanks to financial support measures of the Government, Etu Moana will be given a subsidy of minimum wage payments to all employees for the first three months (being April, May and June). This has allowed us to keep our wonderful team employed, not only with income but a continued feeling of self, team and purpose.
Our focus is primarily on Villa maintenance. It has been a great deal of fun for us all learning new skills, and turning our hand to projects outside of our normal lines of work. The Tasmanian oak floors and the wooden furniture are all in line for an overhaul. On the property, we have already made great progress in building the new stairs down to the pool.
As long as there is music and laughter, singing and camaraderie, we will not only survive but have a sense of achievement, pride and family.
We just want Etu Moana to be at its best when you’ll be back! And we can hardly wait to welcoming you again.
Many of you have credits and future bookings – please keep in contact. We know setting new dates is not practicable at this time, but you can reach us under onthebeach@etumoana.com any time.
We thank those of you who shared their love for Etu Moana and Aitutaki with the online world - despite the difficult times. We also want to say how much we appreciate your loyalty.
Stay safe. We’ll be waiting.
MEITAKI ATUPAKA
KIA MANUIA FROM ALL OF THE STAFF HERE AT ETU MOANA.
Pip & Nick Goodhew
General Managers
Kia Orana from Aitutaki.
We are facing an uncertain world presently and Etu Moana wants you to know that we are committed to the health and safety of our guests, our team on site and our beautiful island paradise.
For those who have visited more than once, we are grateful for your loyalty and for those who have an upcoming reservation, we sincerely hope that you will be able to join us soon.
The coronavirus outbreak gives concerns around travelling and with policies and situations changing globally, we are wanting to assure you we are committed to flexibility, especially around booking terms and conditions, as necessary. This applies to the timing of deposits as well as the opportunity to postpone travel to a later date within two years from the date of booking.
Each guest enquiry will be treated on a case-by-case basis to determine the best way forward, providing as much reassurance as possible at this time of vulnerability for both parties.
If Government Travel restrictions deny your entry into the Cook Islands, we will waive cancellation policies and assist with rebooking an alternative date. If you have booked through another travel site or agent, please contact them directly for assistance.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any further questions
We remain ever hopeful that our little island and it’s people are kept safe and healthy, and that you may too, so we have the opportunity to welcome you – now or at a later time.
Kia manuia
Nick & Pip Goodhew
On behalf of Etu Moana Boutique Villas