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.
CHURCHTALK: Wake up call
Who would have thought we would be here? If you don’t want to be surprised about the unexpected turns in your life, keep a watch out and be prepared, writes Pastor Taiti Toroma of the Seventh Day Adventists Church.
The Maori Vision of Antarctica’s Future
Maori may have been first to reach Antarctica, in the seventh century. But the past matters less than what lies ahead, Indigenous scholars say. By Sabrina Imbler from the New York Times.
Seeking solutions in nature for the planet’s problems
The evidence of ecosystems in crisis are all around us. From climate change to man-made ecological disasters, the rush is on to find solutions to Earth’s most pressing problems. Are the answers growing in our own backyard? A new fund hopes to promote innovative ideas.
Breaking into a man’s world and flourishing
Mechanical engineer Vanita Glassie is energetic and unassuming with a polite and gracious demeanour. She is one of the few Cook Islands women who have established a career in the male dominated expert field of engineering.
CHURCHTALK: My weapon is a melody
You may be waiting for God to do a breakthrough in your life, but it is God who is waiting for you to start the battle in praise!, writes Pastor Paul Kauri.
Rare Rarotonga monarch research continues
The opening of the travel bubble has been good news for the kākerōri birds because it means that one of their most dedicated enthusiasts was able to return to Rarotonga to get stuck into a much overdue, annual bird survey.
Long standing Airport Authority chief executive calls time
Rarotonga International Airport Authority chief executive Joseph Ngamata is calling it a day after 40 years in the business - 25 of those at the helm.
Training the Next Generation of Indigenous Data Scientists
A new workshop explores the right of Indigenous people to govern the collection, ownership and use of their biological and cultural data. By Sabrina Imbler from the New York Times.
Riding on the tourism wave – new businesses thrive in local market
The return of tourism has rejuvenated the island’s night markets.
Let’s get it on 80s style
Big hair, ripped jeans and fluoros are back as Rarotonga braces itself for some 80s nostalgia.
Returning home to serve her people
In the Cook Islands, the continuing battle between families for a suitable candidate to succeed an Ariki title is an ongoing issue that can shred families apart for generations.
CHURCHTALK: God desires mercy, not sacrifice
We are fortunate that God calls sinners and not just saintly people. Jesus came to benefit those who understood their inherent need for Him (those who are sick and the poor in spirit of Matthew 5:3), writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Avarua Ekalesia.
A sweet scent of success
Lafala Turepu set up Turepu Vanilla with an aim to produce a viable export product. Five years on, she says it was an ambitious and difficult goal but one that is not impossible. By Melina Etches.
Hope, faith and love unite Muri Night Market’s vendors
The Muri Night Market has been revived this week following a long break. Those behind the operation say there is hope, faith and love as they look to the future.
Friends honour a living legend of music
Renowned musician Garth Young was treated to a special lunch by his friends who came together to honour his talent and musical contribution to the Cook Islands. By Alana Musselle.
CHURCHTALK: The ‘Pontius Pilate’ in us
Pontius Pilate who sure had power and authority to fight for the release of an innocent Jesus, instead released him for death because he feared more for his own life and stooped down to Jewish Religious bigotry, injustices, jealousies and lies, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
Artists are ready for Jon Lindsay memorial
The Jon Lindsay Memorial Concert tonight at 6pm will feature 30 musicians inspired by the work of the renowned musician who passed away late last month.
Reliving memories of Mangaia’s boatmen shooting the reef
Taking cargo over the reef in the outer islands involved extraordinary seamanship. Boats and canoes crossed the edge of the reef on the crest of a chosen wave. But when the sea was rolling from the wrong direction, a crossing could be fraught with danger. By Rod Dixon on Mangaia.
A family of kayakers
Cook Islands 2020 Sportswoman of the Year Jane Nicholas was back on Rarotonga this week for a brief break in a busy schedule before the upcoming Olympic Games. Al Williams caught up with Nicholas and her family.
Keanui’s biodiversity bonanza
Residents often talk about Cook Islands biodiversity, but few have discovered as many unrecorded species as six-year-old Keanui Selam. His recent insect-catching expeditions led to the discovery of eight unrecorded species of Heteroptera, a group of insects known as true bugs, or typical bugs. By Gerald McCormack of the Natural Heritage Trust.
