For Pacific Islanders gathering here in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Mini Games, there's an enormous sense of pride as they step out here into the international sporting arena to represent their country. For many it's been an intense personal journey with their family their village and their country willing them forward.

Tania Nugent: What country are you representing?

Niue athlete: Niue.

Wallis and Futuna coach: We come from the Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Fiji athlete: I'm representing Fiji.

Solomons athlete: Mi kam long Solomon Islands. (I come from Solomon Islands.)

New Caledonian supporter: Hello Tahiti.

Wallis and Futuna coach: and we're competing in athletics.

Niue athlete: Netball.

Solomons athlete: Mi plaim rugby 7's. (I play rugby 7's.)

Tania Nugent: How does it feel to be representing your country?

Samoa athlete: It's a privilege and this is the most interesting and exciting part, the opening.

Papua New Guinea coach: Heaps of pride, heaps of pride. That's what it is really.

Papua New Guinea athlete: It's really nice to be together with everybody.

Wallis and Futuna coach: It's a big occasion to visit our neighbours. We are almost the same culture, so it's a very big occasion to us to come and share the moment with them.

Samoa athlete: Sports bring together people.

Papua New Guinea coach: It does a lot for our country it unites the young people.

Solomon Islands athlete: I think for health blong mi no mo, no much moni but for health blong strong me interest long sport. (I think just for my health. I don't have much money but, for good health, I have a strong interest in sport.)

Niue athlete: I think it's good. You can use stuff that you use from sports in other areas, like discipline and stuff. I'm still at school, so it's good a good balance.

Fiji athlete: Sports takes you places. You get to see other people culture, new places, visit things that you sometimes you just dream of.

Niue athlete: Yeah. I love that part.

Fiji athlete: This is my first time to a mini games. I'm really looking forward to it. I came over here to do my best and that's my goal.