National Gospel Day in the Cook Islands
National Gospel Day is a Cook Islands public holiday held on 26 October. It commemorates the arrival of the Christian gospel and is marked by church programmes that include processions, dramatic performances and hymns.[1][2]
A public holiday set by law
The Public Holidays Act 1999 names 26 October as Cook Islands Gospel Day and establishes public holidays throughout the Cook Islands. The date is fixed, so its weekday changes from year to year. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the holiday.[1]
The holiday has practical employment effects. An employee who is not casual is entitled to ordinary pay for the public holiday when it falls on a day they would normally work. If an employee, including a casual employee, is required to work that day, the Ministry of Internal Affairs says they are entitled to double pay, an extra annual leave day, time off in lieu or another arrangement no less favourable.[3]
Remembering the arrival of the gospel
The national observance remembers the arrival of the gospel in the Cook Islands. 26 October 1821 is associated with Aitutaki, the island linked to the national date.[2]
A full Nuku programme can include church congregations, or ekalesias, marching in, presenting dramas on set topics and singing composed traditional hymns. A local church council may set the theme, or participating ekalesias may choose their own.[2]
National and island observances
National Gospel Day is distinct from the additional island gospel days. The CICC manual says each island also marks the date when the gospel arrived there; it gives Rarotonga’s local observance as 25 July. These island dates reflect the different histories of the islands and can mean that a community has a local observance as well as the nationwide one in October.[2]
When an Island Gospel Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the holiday.[1]
National Gospel Day: common questions
Is National Gospel Day a public holiday?
Yes. The Public Holidays Act 1999 establishes Cook Islands Gospel Day as a public holiday throughout the Cook Islands.[1]
When is National Gospel Day observed?
It is set for 26 October each year. If that date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the holiday.[1]
Does everyone get the day off?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs says eligible non-casual employees receive ordinary pay when the holiday falls on a day they would normally work. Employees required to work are entitled to additional compensation or time off under the arrangements it describes.[3]
What happens during the Nuku programme?
The CICC manual describes ekalesias marching in, presenting dramas on set topics and singing traditional hymns. Local church councils or participating ekalesias set the themes.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for National Gospel Day in Cook Islands:
- Public Holidays Act 1999- Parliament of the Cook Islands
- Procedures Manual of the Cook Islands Christian Church- Cook Islands Christian Church
- During Employment- Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands