Heartland - Aitutaki

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1996

This Heartland episode was the first to venture beyond New Zealand, following presenter Annie Whittle and a group of Cook Islanders as they return from Aotearoa to the village of Vaipae on Aitutaki. The expats are back to celebrate the opening of a new mission house they fundraised for. For some, it's their first visit in nearly 30 years. They also celebrate a traditional wedding and the annual yacht regatta. Whittle summarises their trip — "For them the heartland is two places: one here in New Zealand, and another on the home island". When the time to leave arrives, they must consider where their true heartland lies.

It takes half a dozen flights and most of the day before all the expatriates are back in the bosom of the village, and they can start to absorb the changes that have occured while they've been gone.
– Presenter Annie Whittle on the group arriving back in the village of Vaipae