More Top Stories
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Features
Master Navigator and Canadian journalist team up on a history of voyaging
It has been almost 40 years since the first ocean-going vaka of the modern age arrived to the Cook Islands. Some readers will remember Hōkūle’a’s first visit in September 1985, and since then a growing fleet of canoes has come and gone from these shores, including several built or based here, such as Takitumu, Te Au O Tonga, Marumaru Atua, Paikea, and canoes built for the Festival of Pacific Arts in 1992. Jennifer Kingsley writes.
Read, read, read
To be a writer, you need to read, read, read, says children’s book author Karen McMillan, who recently wrote Elastic Island Adventures: Rarotonga.
Painting the stage red
Late nights, yelling, sore muscles, and no sleep, yet I would still count the last two months where I was a part of this year’s Te Maeva Nui as one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
Nicholas family reconnect through history
The Nicholas family has a long and rich history across the Cook Islands, throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and the world. Al Williams met a member of the extended family who is making connections across the globe.
Thanking God for the imperfect church
Grace is always first, peace always second. This is due to the fact that grace is the source of peace. Without grace, there is and can be no peace, writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Ekalesia Avarua.
Removing barriers for business
To escape Auckland’s crazy weather and longing to come home, Davina Hosking-Ashford moved back to the Cook Islands three years ago with her husband and two children. They now put young Cook Islanders through university and run the Cook Islands Business Hub.
Let the show begin!
After a lapse of a year due to Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Te Maeva Nui cultural festival returns this weekend. The five-day event got underway yesterday with an official opening ceremony and a float procession at the Constitution Park, participated by 26 teams who gave a glimpse of celebration expected in the coming days.
A day in the life at sea
It’s a big family to feed and keep happy aboard the New Zealand Royal Navy protector-fleet offshore patrol ship HMZS Wellington which visited Rarotonga this week. Al Williams caught up with some of the crew and had a look around the vessel.
CHURCHTALK: Unity in diversity – Rotai o te Tukeke
Let us showcase all diversities of gifts, skills and talents that God has blessed each and every one of us so much with, from the different islands we come from, different cultures, customs and traditions, at this year’s Constitution celebrations, writes Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church.
History made as Atiu invests Ngamaru Ariki and Rongomatane Ariki
Hundreds of people descended onto the island of Atiu to witness the historic akamarokura’anga (investiture) of Ngamaru Ariki and Rongomatane Ariki conducted three days apart. By Melina Etches.
Pride and prejudice: Lobby group takes leap of faith for LGBTQI community
A Cook Islands lobby group is taking giant steps forward in a combined effort to bring about equality. Al Williams reports.
CHURCH TALK: Not them and those but us
Our first duty as Christians is to serve others, especially the poor and the marginalised, just as Jesus did. In this country in the 19th century there was an openness to encounter and welcome the stranger. Why is it then that today there is fear and alarm about being open to the stranger? By Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
A passion for Cook Islands
A couple with a vast love for the South Pacific and the Cook Islands in particular has developed perhaps the most versatile travel guide out there. They hope the travel guide will create in others the same love they have for the country they come to call one of their favourite places.
Growers put pawpaw in the ground hoping it’s in the sky in nine months
Pawpaw growers are looking to form a cooperative but plenty of work is still needed to be done to get the fruit in New Zealand supermarkets.
The gift of faith - St. Joseph's celebrates 125 years
St Joseph’s Primary School in Avarua celebrated 125 years this week. Al Williams delves into the school archives, talking to former students and teachers who attended celebrations.
Aspiring artist paints her own path
An eighteen-year-old aspiring artist has used her love of drawing and art to create her own business, painting henna designs as well as commissioning her own paintings to make a living for herself through creative expression. Alana Musselle reports.
Pushing your limits in paradise
Riding on the success of last year’s Cook Islands Games, Aitutaki-based Dani Adendorff recognises the potential to maintain that momentum and extend the reach of the growing weightlifting fitness revolution to the Pa Enua. By Melina Etches.
Gaining organic certification
New organic certification mechanisms are needed to make the costs worth the benefits. By Monica Evans of Global Landscapes Forum.
CHURCHTALK: A message of encouragement
Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? By Angaroakau Williams – Second counselor in the District Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
RaroGo pivots to freight success
Single mother and Cook Islander based in Auckland, Maire Browne, started her business in the midst of Covid promoting Cook Islands holiday deals which has now evolved into a successful freight forwarder.
Collective approach is needed to end domestic violence
There’s a growing concern about the level of domestic violence on Rarotonga but it will take a multi-agency response and broad community support to address the issue.
‘Keep trying, keep reaching, keep dreaming’
Aitutaki’s top fashion designer Natasha Munokoa was raised surrounded by the sounds of a sewing machine, colourful fabric and the exceptional sewing skills of her talented grandmother, Piri Iopu nee Davey – an experience that sparked her passion for fashion designing.
