Features

Women's wear always island style

Through a series of life-size prints, Kay George chronicles the change in the attire of local women over the years. The prints track the evolution of women’s adornment in the Cook Islands, marked by the impact of the London Missionary Society in the early 1800s, influences from New Zealand and Tahitian neighbours, the advent of […]

New caf in town

There’s a new cafe in town, and it’s on wheels. Tuesday through Saturday, Simon and Sharon Stott will be squeezing juice and foaming cappuccinos in their portable cart that’s currently parked on the main road at the Punanga Nui Market. Reefside Rarotonga will be open from 7.30 to about 5 for a month or so […]

Open Mic night starts up again

Open Mic night is back. The first OM Night of the year will be held at Waterline Beach Bar & Grill Restaurant in Arorangi this Monday, March 1, at 7 pm. Anyone who is interested in singing, playing an instrument, jamming with a band, telling stories or telling jokes in front of a live audience […]

Jail sounds with a message

Four prisoners bare their souls in 13 original songs After ten months of recording beats tapped out on walls and wooden benches with rudimentary equipment, four Arorangi prison inmates have released their first CD. The 13 original tracks are written and performed by the prisoners who said their record was about “change and changing our […]

Living in Liminal Space

Having resided in Nigeria, Saudia Arabia and Atiu, German-born Andrea Eimke knows what it’s like to live life as a ‘foreign national’. Originally from Dusseldorf, Eimke spent years working around the world as a professional interpreter and then as an embroiderer. The Master of Art and Design course that she’s just finished this week gave […]

Art trail opens up

Examiners spent yesterday analysing the Master’s of Art and Design final projects. Today, the artists can breathe a sigh of relief and the public can get ready to browse their exhibitions. Last night, Loretta Reynolds unveiled her project at the Beachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery. Hers was the first exhibition to open, and the rest will […]

St Joseph's prefects lead mass

Twelve St Joseph’s School students were inducted as prefects of the school yesterday at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Avarua. And just to show that they were capable leaders, the young students led the special mass for their induction ceremony reading the day’s scripture and praying for ill family members. After the mass the students […]

Turtle man helps out

Guests with positive attitudes and a willingness to help clean up Aitutaki after cyclone Pat have made it easier for accommodators on the island to bounce back into business. After the cyclone, the Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas, like many homes and businesses on Aitutaki, sustained damage to its property. But as villa owners Allen and […]

Endangered bird survival critical

Just 300 of the already endangered Aitutaki Kuramo’o (Blue Lorikeet) are estimated to have survived Cyclone Pat – which could put the survival of the bird in jeopardy if urgent precautions aren’t taken. The Kuramo’o population was assessed by British students last year at more than 3000 birds, but ornithologist Gerald McCormack of the Cook […]

The WeekEnd Crossword

Art before sport for Eruera Nia

Contemporary Maori artist Eruera Nia says the two-year Master of Art and Design course has served to ensure his art comes from a strong cultural base. Now in his 60s, he says, “It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself – at my age, higher education at a higher level is a big deal!” Nia describes his […]

Avarua gets new leaders

Now that Avarua Primary School has inducted 25 young leaders, the school looks forward to another bright year. Twelve boys and thirteen girls were made school prefects in a special induction ceremony at the National Auditorium yesterday morning where parents filled with pride adorned their children with ei and hugs. School principal Gelling Jack spoke […]

American author here for 'writing retreat'

John Woods, a self-described serial entrepreneur, seems to have found his niche. The author, who recently penned a sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, is on the island finishing his next two novels. Woods said he’s always had a passion for writing, but it wasn’t until he was in his 40s that he decided […]

We need to be seen

If you are not being seen or heard, then you are nothing, says former environment minister Ngamau Munokoa who attended the Copenhagen meeting on climate change in December. “It is important to go to these meetings — you have to be seen and heard,” says Munokoa of the meeting. And she maintains that having a […]

Copenhagen

The country’s primary climate change negotiators say despite the disappointing outcome from Copenhagen, the Cook Islands must continue to take part in UN negotiations for an agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol. Climate change negotiator and national environment service’s (NES) international manager, Tania Temata, NES climate change technical officer Pasha Carruthers, and climate change coordinator […]

Musical will 'lift' the Cook Islands

The musical production ‘Once, Upon a Reef’ will be shown at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau City at the end of next month. Project manager Thomas Peyroux says progress on the production is “great” and rehearsals have picked up. “They are now all go and I am happy with that.” Peyroux says it […]

Voyaging thesis is Loretta's adventure

Loretta Reynolds left school at age 16 to enter the world of graphic design. She worked for a succession of major advertising companies based in Auckland, Sydney and London before establishing her own graphics company in Parnell. Now, years later, she’s a successful local artist and one of five students pursuing a Master’s degree in […]

Evolving patterns

Without any formal training, local artist Kay George has developed her own unique style of art which has seen her become a prominent figure in the regional art industry. Coming from an artistic family, Kay is a self-taught artist who in the 80s began painting on fabrics and selling her work at Sydney markets in […]

New direction

Moving in new directions from their normal art making practices has been the aim behind the Master of Art and Design course being undertaken by six Cook Islands artists. The Master of Art and Design through AUT University, Auckland, in partnership with USP was offered to practising artists in the Cook Islands allowing them to […]

The excitement and worries of moving to a different school

Changing schools can be an exciting event for a lot of students. But for some it can be a stressful transition. The guidance desk at the Ministry of Education department has provided some tips for parents on how to help your child have a smooth transition into the new 2010 school year. Change and nervousness […]