안녕하세요, Kia Orana, Welcome
Apologies for the long gap since writing my previous newsletter. As you will see from this week’s newsletter things have been quite busy here in paradise.
In my previous newsletter, I discussed my adventures in the Cook Islands. After 21 years in South Korea, I boarded my Korean Air flight on a one-way ticket home. I got to enjoy the benefits of a business class ticket and the amazing things that came with it.
On my arrival, I managed to get involved in some roles on the ground here in Rarotonga, Cook Islands and looked at potential opportunities and what could be achieved.
T-REX CHICKEN IS COOKING FOR THE PEOPLE
In May 2023, after 5-6 years of research, planning, and work, I finally launched T-Rex Chicken. The first mobile chicken rotisserie truck in the Cook Islands. Offering whole chicken stuffed with rice and 2 Korean sauces. These trucks are in a lot of neighborhoods in South Korea, especially in the evening. I’ve also seen them in Paris and Tahitians here in Rarotonga tell me it’s huge in Tahiti too. From a personal view, I lost count of how many times I bought those chickens on the way home while living in South Korea. You can’t beat hot stuffed rotisserie chicken on your way home from work.
It’s a small truck with a green dinosaur as a symbol. T-Rex or Tyrannosaurus Rex represents an apex predator, a no holds barred symbol of domination and destruction during the dinosaur period. It’s an apt name for this new venture. Also, a cousin that passed away had this nickname and we always talked about making this kind of business. In many ways, it’s in honor of him that I made it to this stage.
T-Rex in Rarotonga - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
T-Rex in Rarotonga - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Here are the chickens cooking nicely at the beach!
I have used the last 2-3 months to test the market, times, locations, and local tastes. The feedback has been outstanding and I sold out every time I set up the truck around the island. I have managed to gather invaluable ideas about marketing, people skills, and locations during this time. The psychology of selling is quite a learning curve and an amazing tool to possess. Being around the island also allows me to expand network opportunities and meet various members of the community.
However, I have been off the road the last few weeks as strangely there are no whole chickens on the island due to multiple national events at the same time. It’s given me a great opportunity to re-strategize my business and update certain areas. Looking forward to returning back to selling as soon as the whole chickens arrive again. Stronger and ready to capitalize on the learnings I have gathered.
I currently have Taro and Breadfruit ready to cook as chips under the chicken fat as well as a Kimchi supply lined up to offer more variety to the consumer. There is an extensive demand for Kimchi here. Everyone asks me if I can make it or locate it. Coming soon I will be fulfilling this demand.
T Rex menu - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Yummy chickens- Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Please feel free to follow me on the T Rex Facebook page as I continue to build up support
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090164622835
PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE, COOK ISLANDS
Upon returning to the Cook Islands I wondered how could I contribute my skills and experience gained overseas to this country and its people. There is always a drive for young Cook Islanders to return home and bring their skills to help the nation. One day, I decided that I would like to apply for a position in the newspaper, Policy & Research Officer, Office of the Prime Minister.
After getting to the interview stage I was stunned and honoured to be offered the position. My role involves me being based downtown at the (CPPO) Central Planning and Policy Division with some really fantastic people with amazing skill sets.
The position can be described in 3 ways
Every research project that wants to be conducted in the Cook Islands needs to come across my scope for review and preparation. If it checks all the boxes it moves to (CIREC) an ethics committee for review and analysis and finally to the (NRC) National Research Committee. On both of these committees, I serve as the secretariat and help/offer guidance on these applications. There are some robust discussions and analysis involved and you get to see how the research and ethics space operates.
I also get to serve on other projects and committees such as Urban Development which looks at how to streamline and improve housing or waste in the Cook Islands. Essentially the development or review of policies that shape the Cook Islands today and in the future. Once again you meet interesting and passionate people involved in the formulation of policy and seeking improvements for the Cook Islands.
Finally, every now and again there might be special requests from the Prime Minister or Cabinet that need to be completed.
Overall, it’s a very interesting role that has an unlimited network and tangible results. Great people and also challenging the mind as regards how policy works and is shaped for a country. I manage to meet stakeholders, politicians, and policy formulators that have a direct influence on the future of the Cook Islands.
COOK ISLANDS RUGBY LEAGUE
What a 2023 rugby league season in the Cook Islands. We saw amazing men’s and women’s competitions with the Arorangi Bears taking out both titles. It represented a shift in the power base of rugby league in Rarotonga as it has been over 2 decades since Arorangi was even in the final. We saw an unbelievable day of finals football across all grades and it really was a statement day for Cook Islands rugby league.
Cook Islands Rugby League Grand Final Day - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
In April 2023, I found myself in the role of media & publications for the Cook Islands rugby league. This role allowed me to watch a bunch of games every week and try to increase awareness of the game through social media. Strangely, I was also on the CITV sports news every Wednesday night reviewing and previewing the upcoming games. Essentially becoming the face of the game. A great opportunity to step out of my shell and develop new skills including presenting, editing, script preparation, etc. These skills are invaluable as I look further ahead to launching a podcast and weekly show based on rugby league. If possible I’m looking to get it onto Pacifica TV which has a reach across the Pacific and also onto Youtube which will allow teaming up with other rugby league influencers and presenters around the world. Essentially promoting local, and international games and league viewpoints. The local market in particular needs a format to generate more reach and this could be the right angle.
Another great joy from this position was every Saturday morning I got involved in the junior skills clinic that ran from 9 am - 11 am. It’s awesome to teach the youngsters basic skills and also you get to reflect that you were that age once upon a time.
I am very fortunate to meet the rugby league community. These are passionate people that love the game and want to see it continually develop. It’s actually the national sport of the Cook Islands.
You can catch me every Wednesday night on CITV sports during the season & hopefully, I will return soon as we build up to the South Pacific games in the Solomon Islands in November. The local competition kicks off again in January as the 9’s competition will get underway.
CITV presenting - Images courtesy of CITV sports & Coconuts & Kimchi.
COCONUTS & KIMCHI YOUTUBE SERIES
A quick update on my Coconuts & Kimchi youtube series.
As mentioned previously, I’m in the process of converting my series of Substack newsletters into a Youtube series. Many subscribers have been waiting for the launch of these articles into a Youtube format. I’m waiting for a meeting in early August and hopefully, we can have the completed product. One series will be about life in South Korea while the other series is focused on life in the Cook Islands.
There is serious potential for this show as the Korean/Cook Island relationship is growing exponentially with frequent visits by the South Korean ambassador and reciprocal visits to South Korea by the Prime Minister and other members of the government. The local tourism authority will likely be interested in this project as the benefits of this kind of media and promotion cannot be measured.
I will keep you updated as to when it will be launched but it should be soon. Don’t forget to follow the link below and subscribe to the Youtube channel and you will be one of the first to see the content when it’s uploaded.
Editing stage for pilot episodes - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
ARTEMIS MEDIA GROUP
As I develop a number of projects, I realized that the amount of media content I’m requiring has increased exponentially. I’m looking at the following areas but not including further projects that I’m working on
T Rex Chicken truck (Weekly promotions)
Rugby league Youtube & sports show (Weekly)
Coconuts & Kimchi newsletter conversion to Youtube format in English & Korean (Every 2 weeks)
I decided to put together a media group that caters to all this content development & promotion.
I have listed positions in the Cook Islands and currently have staff in the following
A Tik Tok specialist
An Instagram Specialist
A studio for creating and editing content
Currently, I’m looking for a
Youtube specialist
A Facebook Specialist
These people are fascinating and live in those spaces 24 hours a day so it’s amazing to have a team that fully focuses on your content and frees up more of my time for just creating content.
I have named the company Artemis after the Greek goddess. The Romans referred to her as Diana. She was the daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo the god of the sun. Among many things, Artemis was the god of wild animals and hunting. She was perfect with the bow & arrow and responsible for healing, disease and turning others into animals.
Currently, there is a space exploration program named Artemis and this is an international effort to establish a human presence on the moon that will allow a base for further exploration to Mars and deep space. An amazing goal and demonstration of human drive, creativity, and resilience. It’s an appropriate name for a new media company.
Finally, life is going really well in paradise and it’s totally different from my life in South Korea. There are further projects in development as I push harder with 5 months to go before the end of the year. Hopefully, I can update you in the next newsletter.
Onwards and upwards!
“Feed your focus, starve your distractions.”
Coming soon I will be launching a Youtube channel showing life in South Korea and my new home, The Cook Islands. Feel free to subscribe and get the videos as they are released.
Feel free to follow my adventures on Twitter. I’m not a prolific tweeter but now and again you might see some gems.
I’m relatively new to the Instagram world but follow along for a more visual aspect of Coconuts & Kimchi.
One Year in the Cook Islands - Vol 34