IT’S said people always return to their roots, and far from the shores of Atiu - a small island in the South Pacific Ocean - the first baby of the year arrived.
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Luca Matapakia Fontanella was born to parents Harley and Apii at Armidale Hospital on January 2 at 11.43pm.
Mrs Fontanella grew up in the Cook Islands but lives in Walcha with her husband and two-year-old daughter Christina.
“When you think about it, Walcha is sort of similar to Atiu in a way because it’s so quiet and the community is so close,” Mrs Fontanella said.
The name Luca was chosen by Harley and the pair didn’t find out the sex of their child until the birth.
“We tried to find out what sex he was in one of my scans but he kept moving about. His legs were going everywhere so we couldn’t find out what sex he was – we took it as a sign we weren’t supposed to know,” Mrs Fontanella said.
In the Cook Islands, custom dictates that the hair of the first-born son isn’t cut until he is 10 years old.
“There’s about a billion different cultural traditions; the boys never have a haircut until they’re about 10,” Mrs Fontanella said.
“By that time they have really long hair and there’s a huge ceremony to cut it off where you invite everyone you know.
“They also have a massive feast, but in the Cook Islands there’s a massive feast with everything.”
The family is planning a visit to Atiu in September.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
