As we wrap up the Christmas season and look ahead to the new year, let’s take a moment to think about the true meaning of Christmas – the light of Jesus Christ that came into the world that night in Bethlehem, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In a monumental stride in conservation for the Cook Islands, Takutea Island is on its path to becoming rat-free.
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.
Eleven junior dancers beat stage fright to put on memorable performances in the opening National Dancer of the Year event.
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?
Learning can take many forms – visual, verbal, physical or social. Everyone learns differently and whatever your personality, there is something for everyone.
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.
The Rarotonga Schools Culture Festival wrapped up on Wednesday night with raving performances from all teams.
Bringing the voices of young Pasifika women to the forefront is a passion of 22-year-old Cook Islands scriptwriter and actor.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The people of Palmerston Island took a day off from work yesterday to pay respect to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
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.
To believe the gospel is to put faith in Him who is himself the Gospel, and faith in Christ is faith in God, writes Reverend Vaka Ngaro of Cook Islands Christian Church.
Almost 30 years ago, a Mangaian vaka set sail for Rarotonga with no electronic or navigational aids, no captain and no escort vessel. The vaka was ‘missing’ for two days and a night and mounting concerns for the crew’s safety sparked an air and sea search. Here the vaka’s navigator, the late Ma’ara Peraua, and crew member Maire Kareroa record their memories of the voyage, while extracts from Rod Dixon’s 1992 diary describe reactions on the ground in Mangaia.