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.
From Rarotonga to paradise – a trip of a lifetime
Seven hundred and forty nautical miles, or 1460 kilometres, and an estimated 96-hour sea voyage away from Rarotonga lies the island of Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva. With a population of approximately 218 people, and an array of uninhabited motu’s (smaller islands) spread out across its lagoons, Penrhyn continues to remain one of Earth’s best kept secrets. Nobby Clark, fisherman and owner of fishing charter boat Marlin Queen, recounts his recent visit to the Northern Group island.
Mother’s Day is every day
Being a mum has taught Kopurei (Kopu) Anguna many life lessons. In an interview with senior journalist Melina Etches, she shares her experiences and some tips on how to be a good mother to your children.
Our future inheritance –‘claim it or lose it’
We have struggled much, learned much, survived through many different phases of socio-economic changes and though still confronting economic challenges and downturns throughout our traditional, religious and political history, writes Bishop Tutai Pere in this week's Church Talk column.
Junior dancers dazzle at the domes
Eleven junior dancers beat stage fright to put on memorable performances in the opening National Dancer of the Year event.
Casting the Net far and wide
The future of the Cook Islands internet looks reliable, fast and cheap. But it can feel far off. Slow internet frustration is still very much alive and well. So where are we and where are we headed?
Online learning – no noodles needed
Learning can take many forms – visual, verbal, physical or social. Everyone learns differently and whatever your personality, there is something for everyone.
GOING LOCAL: Remedies for healthy living
More than a year on from the start of Covid, Nane Herman Purea from Aitutaki remains smiling. That old saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’ resonates when you’re in her company and one can’t help but be drawn in to her infectious laughter. Journalist Melina Etches met her during her recent trip to Aitutaki.
Passionate performances pay tribute to the arrival of Christianity
The Rarotonga Schools Culture Festival wrapped up on Wednesday night with raving performances from all teams.
Using theatre to approach tough topics
Bringing the voices of young Pasifika women to the forefront is a passion of 22-year-old Cook Islands scriptwriter and actor.
Wings and ‘whirlybirds’ over Mangaia
In 1945 the ariki of Mangaia offered New Zealand land for an airstrip. In the same year, the ending of the Second World war released thousands of ex-pilots and surplus aircraft to service remote air-routes around the world. While other countries took advantage, another 30 years would pass before commercial aircraft landed on Mangaia. By Rod Dixon
CHURCH TALK: A message of hope
This article is dedicated to two great men that have passed this week from the Vaka Puaikura. Beresford Henry “Black” Heather and John Glassie Mateara, who was a regular contributor to this column. These were great life influencers to many people and had many followers.
Reminiscing about Manihiki, the Islands of Pearls
Those who’ve had a chance to visit Manihiki begin dreaming about returning as soon as they leave. But for Manihikians who leave their island home for opportunities abroad, returning is sometimes an obligation.
‘Just get on a boat and go!’
Master boat builder Teokotai ‘Tango’ Herman has been in the business for some 40 years and has built many boats but none bigger than the new Air Rarotonga aluminium catamaran he is currently working on.
Aitutaki experience: An Easter getaway to paradise
Since moving to Rarotonga from New Zealand earlier in the year, journalist Caleb Fotheringham and his schoolteacher wife Jess have been hearing a lot about Aitutaki. During the Easter break they travelled to the Southern Group island to find out what the hype was all about.
CHURCH TALK: The extent of God’s amazing love
God’s amazing love was the main talking point at the recent ‘National Thanksgiving Prayer Service’ held last weekend. It was an opportunity to not only encourage our nation and also reflect on God’s goodness and mercies throughout the cyclone season, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa.
We’re away, home again in September
The Pacific Golden Plover or Tōrea is our most common Alaskan migrant. It is conspicuous on large grassy areas during the summer and most are now in their dramatic breeding plumage and ready to depart for Alaska. By Gerald McCormack of Natural Heritage Trust.
Tracing back Marsters family lineage
Caroline Akakaingaro Raea, nee Marsters, was unaware that a collection of her Marsters family photos ever existed, until her 70th birthday. And to her surprise these photos were located in the very library that her daughter Taputukura Raea works in, the National Library of New Zealand.
Are Taunga of Araura - 'We invest our Ariki in our traditional procedures'
The investiture of the second Tamatoa Ariki was held last week, just over a month after Taraota Tom was invested with the title on the island of Aitutaki. House of Ariki, the parliamentary body composed of Cook Islands high chiefs, refused to attend both investitures because of the "ongoing dispute over the title". But the sub chiefs backing the newly-crowned Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa say they will decide the legitimate holder.
Palmerston remembers Prince Philip's 1971 visit
The people of Palmerston Island took a day off from work yesterday to pay respect to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Covid mass testing lab won't be ready when country 'opens for business'
Prime Minister Mark Brown's date for a two-way travel bubble on May 1 will come before the country has a rapid Covid-19 testing system.
