My heroine

A girl gave birth to her first baby when she was only 16 years old. At that time, it was considered a disgrace to a family when a daughter fell pregnant at such a young age, under 21 years old, here on Atiu.

A group of Rarotonga children have swapped their video games and other pastime activities with the farming tools this school holiday in a bid to reconnect to the land.

Continuing to provide opportunities for young people across the performing arts is once again on display for the next generation of film-makers.

In the Cook Islands, Rakuraku School on Rakahanga recently held a wearable arts competition to bring Rakahanga’s waste issue to light, by reusing, reducing and recycling.

A total of 19 students participated in the event that involved students creating wearable pieces made out of a range of different waste materials such as aluminium cans, pig feed sacks, cardboard material and two-minute noodle packets.

A custom-built runway made of painted plastic panels was laid on the beach front of Rakuraku School with a podium stage that was lined with plastic bottles.

Rakahanga located in the northern Cook Islands has a current population of around 78 people.

Waste collected is disposed of in a large dug out community hole located in Numahanga. Two previous pits have already been covered in Hunters Corner and Kuta.

E-waste collected is stored and then exported off the island back to the capital Rarotonga to be dismantled and to then be sold for parts.

Waste disposal in the outer islands, particularly plastic, is still an area that needs attention, as majority of waste produced is either buried or burnt.    

- TIS