Features

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Kiwi movie producer holidays in Raro

Up-and-coming Kiwi movie producer Peter Frahm is in the throes of a week-long holiday on Rarotonga. He and his family are here to celebrate his son’s wedding, which took place on Friday afternoon on Motu Koromiri. Frahm wrote, produced and starred in his first and latest full-feature film, The China Cup, which premiered last year […]

New year, new dance group for Joyce

A treasure of Cook Islands culture was appropriately found near the Sir Geoffrey Henry Centre early in the week. Joyce Fortes –whose Te Mire Kapa 2006 performance has received 92,083 hits on just one YouTube clip – was spotted on a quick break at the local library. The dancer is considering studying with the USP […]

Cricketing fun and prizes for kids

While the big boys battled it out on the cricket pitch last Saturday – aspiring junior cricketers were given the opportunity to show off their own cricket skills. At the end of the first innings between Royal Heat and the Superkings, junior cricket fans were called on to the field to showcase their catching skills. […]

'Aunty's still here'

Nikao MP and former minister Ngamau Munokoa is well, just… Aunty Mau. This reporter rolls up around 3.10pm to her Nikao home with a good excuse for being 10 minutes late. But that’s not a problem. She calls out from inside the kitchen that she has just arrived home with two of her friends after […]

Minister's priority

New energy minister William ‘Smiley’ Heather says he’s right behind the national energy committee’s recommendations. “Alternative energy is another key focus for me. It’s a priority on my list.” While he’s not been long on the job, Heather has had meetings with the members of the committee and he’s encouraged by what he’s heard so […]

Half Caste, inspired clothing

For some people, being called a half caste is an offence but for Cook Islander Alissa Morgan-Ziogas being of mixed race has helped inspire her new street and team wear clothing design label Half Caste. “In our family we’ve always laughed about being half castes but for some people it can be a bit rude,” […]

The action plan

The national energy committee has managed to get approval for 15 low-risk initiatives for alternative energy use that can start now: – Adopt net metering and post-production incentives – not only allowing power consumers to use solar and wind energy to reduce power use and receive payment for power produced for the grid, but also […]