Cook Islands Maori Bible Reformatted to Ensure its Future (Adapted from media reports and summaries provided by Bible Society New Zealand)
Launched in February at a dedication service in the New Zealand capital of Auckland, the Cook Islands Māori Bible – Te Bibilia Tapu Ra – has been reformatted to cement its influence in the local communities into the future.
Bible Society New Zealand (BSNZ) identified the need to update the 1972 edition of the Cook Islands Māori Bible due to ageing printing plates and oversaw its digitisation and reformatting to ensure the text remains accessible to future generations. Supported and initiated by BSNZ, Rev. Robert Robati-Mani and his late wife Marina began working on the Bible reformatting in 2018. The project included digitising the entire text, correcting typographical errors, and strengthening consistency throughout the publication.
By digitising the text, the full Bible can now be made available online, greatly improving accessibility for local communities and the diaspora. The typesetting was performed by Amity Printing Company, and the project was financially supported by BSNZ.
Dedication Service in Auckland: On February 28, the Pacific Islands Presbyterian Church in Auckland hosted the dedication service, led by the Cook Islands Religious Advisory Committee New Zealand. Among the special guests were His Excellency the King’s Representative from the Cook Islands, Sir Tom Marsters and Lady Marsters.
At the dedication service, Rev. Robati-Mani said: “The Bibilia Tapu remains one of the greatest resources for strengthening and sustaining our Māori language.” Special acknowledgement was given to BSNZ Translation Consultant Dr Clare Knowles during the dedication service for her significant contribution, particularly in finalising the typesetting of both the New and Old Testaments.
By Simeon Lawson, Communications Strategist, Fellowship Effectiveness, United Bible Societies, UK