Cook Islands’ pioneer of tourism, Eric Bateman, has turned 87. He arrived in Rarotonga a year before the International Airport opened in 1974.
Prior to his move to the Cooks to manage the Trailways Hotel (now Club Raro), Eric was executive master chef at the Dateline Hotel in Tonga for six years. During that time, he was personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Tonga in 1970. He was also Her Majesty’s personal chef when she opened Rarotonga International Airport in 1974.
Eric has a complicated background as a result of fleeing World War II Europe. His mother, a White Russian, moved to Latvia and met Eric's father, an Austrian.
“When the Russian army came to Latvia we moved to Berlin. We were there when the British had huge bombing raids. We were buried alive twice! Near the end of the war, my mother received a letter saying her husband, who had been conscripted, had been killed.”
Life was difficult, but Eric and his mother moved to Wales in 1948. His mother remarried and his surname changed from Modlinger to Bateman.
“Going to Wales and speaking German, there was a lot of bullying, a lot of fighting. But in the end, we all got along well together. I loved it in Wales,” said Eric.
After 12 years the family emigrated to New Zealand where Eric played competitive rugby and studied to become a chef.
Tumunu Garden Bar, aka Tumunu Restaurant & Bar, was founded in 1979.
The COVID pandemic greatly impacted the Tumunu. Nowadays it operates as an ‘authentic pub’ with some food offerings, including its famous seafood platter. Tumunu’s quirky pub-style bar displays engaging memorabilia & curiosities.
Following a packed life, including two wives that have moved on, Eric cuts a solitary figure at the Tumunu, but he is there most nights ready to welcome patrons and engage in conversation.
Eric is selling the Tumunu. He hopes that it will continue as treasured establishment in Rarotonga.
