Papa Bill, Jon Jonassen, Mrs Teao receive OBE, MBE, BEM respectively
By Ben Chapman-Smith
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, June 3, 2014) – Three Cook Islanders have formally received awards after being announced as recipients of Queen’s Honours at the start of the year.
William John Hosking, Dr Jon Jonassen and Vaine Noopuapii (Mrs Teao) – who were all named in the New Year’s Honours list – attended a formal ceremony at Government House yesterday hosted by Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters.
The Medal of the British Empire (MBE) was awarded to composer Dr Jonassen for services to the Cook Islands culture and the public service.
Jonassen is a professor of Political Science, and former secretary of Foreign Affairs, secretary of Cultural Development, and High Commissioner to NZ, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea for the Cook Islands.
Among the more than 500 songs he’s composed are the famous Cook Islands love song ‘Mou Piri’,...