An Island Called Mangaia, a documentary produced by Alwyn Owen about the southern most island in the Cook Island group. Narrated by Brian Cashin [?]
Actuality recorded on-board the ship bound for Mangaia of crew and then of landing on the island and being welcomed by children.
Edwin Gold, the oldest of the four Europeans living on the island says visiting Europeans are treated with suspicion as potential land thieves, until they have established that they can be trusted. Land is held by native freehold, different to the rest of the Cook Islands.
George Tuara, a pineapple grower says they have never allowed land surveyors on Mangaia as they would have taken away land and they won't allow the land court either.
Description of the loading of pineapples onto lighters for export and of Oneroa, the principal village. Edwin Gold describes the palace of Numangatini Ariki, the traditional Queen of Mangaia, which is furnished with furniture from shipwrecks. The Ariki and British royalty are held in great respect.
Bavea Tangatia, the agricultural officer, translates for Numangatini Ariki as she tells the story about the flag her possession from the era of Queen Victoria, who gave it to her predecessor King John.
Edwin Gold explains the geological origins of the 'mokatea' a wide circular cliff running around the island.
Mrs Tuara, a pineapple grower is interviewed. A European, she has been living on the island for 40 years, after migrating with her parents from England. She talks about the benefits and drawbacks of island life. She says they don't make much money from pineapples, only 70-80 cents a case.
Matapi Matapi, the chairman of grower's association says you make only $500 profit per acre of pineapples. Growers feel they are not making as much as they should. There are also issues about land. Matapi says the land court system must be introduced to bring in legal leases, instead of the current informal arrangements.
Doug Kerr, the school teacher who is leaving after five years on Mangaia, talks about the lack of development funding from central government, which some believe is because of Mangaia's reputation as being anti-government. He talks about the island's problems - lack of shipping, island traders charging too much for supplies.
Two other villages are described and the tradition of naming children. Jackie, a 13 year old Tahitian boy talks about his desire to go to New Zealand.