Features

Researcher examines criminal deportations to Cook Islands

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week hosted and assisted researcher Henrietta McNeill, a PhD candidate with the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University, with fieldwork in the Cook Islands. McNeill was researching criminal deportations to the Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga as part of her PhD studies.

Kiwi muso raises the spirit on Raro

High profile Kiwi musician Che Fu made an unexpected appearance at Rehab Nightclub on Rarotonga over the weekend to cap off a much needed ten-day break with his family.

Resilience is key in military: Turua

Cook Islander Sergeant Daniel Turua would like to encourage young people on the island to join the Defence Force of Aotearoa New Zealand. Turua and his family visited Rarotonga earlier this month with the New Zealand Army current and ex-servicemen for the Ngāti Tūmatauenga (The Tribe of the God of War) Reunion held on the ANZAC Day.

God save the King: Cook Islands congratulates King Charles III

Cook Islands joined the rest of the world in congratulating the newly crowned King Charles III, who is now officially our Head of State.

Senior dancers wow crowd at annual traditional dance comp

Stunning performances from the 11 senior Te Mire Ura dancers battling on stage for the coveted title of champion dancer of the year, wowed the large crowd on Thursday night at the National Auditorium.

Christianity created a Nation: The arrival of the Gospel

Historian Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a new weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation.

New building and new approach to mental health in the Cook Islands

The new Te Puna Tiaki – Wellness Unit at the Rarotonga Hospital will help alleviate some of the pressures on the mental health system in the island. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood speaks to Te Marae Ora clinical psychologist Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong about why it’s so important.

Raro welcomes the troops, 1919

Cook Islanders returned from the first world war as changed men, but they still knew how to party, as these century old photos show, writes Rod Dixon.

Kata: Media

The Lord gave us the great three

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT Jesus was once asked a genuine question from a sincere person, let’s read the account from Mark’s Gospel; One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” By Pastor Paul Kauri.

Te Hokianga o Ngāti Tūmatauenga ki Rarotonga II for ANZAC

Hundreds of Ngāti Tūmatauenga (The Tribe of the God of War) members – the Aotearoa New Zealand Army veterans and current officers – have reunited in Rarotonga for Te Hokianga o Ngāti ki Rarotonga II reunion and paid tribute to the fallen Anzac soldiers at this week’s Dawn Service.

Trailblazer’s journey to the ‘Red Diamond’

Sergeant Suzanne “Sue” Gingles visited Rarotonga representing the New Zealand Remembrance Army at the unveiling of the “plaque of gratitude” for Anzac World War I heroine Ettie Rout.

A dazzling night of dance and spectacular costumes

The Junior and Intermediate performers who hit the stage at the annual Tauranga Vananga Te Mire Ura cultural dance competition on Thursday night, thrilled the large audience with their dazzling choreography and spectacular costumes.

Planning for a digital future

A wide-ranging document is calling on the Cook Islands to take advantage of the digital revolution. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to ICT expert Maureen Hilyard about what changes she would like to see.

Baby gear in hot demand

High demand for baby gear in the Cook Islands means a new business which was originally conceived as a pop-up shop will now open six days a week. Joanne Holden reports.

‘Hear the Voice of God, not the voices of the world’: Elder Wakolo

Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, General Authority Seventy and member of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, counselled members and friends of the Church in the Cook Islands recently that they must take the time to teach their children of Jesus Christ, or their children will be taught by the disparate voices of others.

Breanaa’s customised chair for quality of life

Breanaa Vogel Goldsworthy is sporting her brand new customised Little Wave Flip wheelchair which features the colour she actually got to choose - purple, using her Eye Gaze computer device.

Cook Islands pays tribute to fallen soldiers at Anzac Day Dawn Service

Sixty-nine-year-old Remuera Rangi was among a large number of ex-servicemen who attended the 108th Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at the Ministry of Justice headquarters early yesterday.

The battle is won, the war goes on

The Cook Islands Parliament passed landmark legislation decriminalising homosexuality last week. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to two of those at the forefront of the push towards this historic legislation.

New eatery proves to be a hit

It’s a combined effort for a husband and wife team who have transformed a ramshackle facility into a retail and eatery outlet in the heart of Rarotonga.