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.
Former national rugby star Francis Smith's heart is set on giving back to people
Francis Smith first visited Mitiaro when he was six or seven years old. That was the first time he saw an itiki – the island’s famous fresh water eel. Almost three decades on, he reconnects with the itiki and calls the southern group island his new home.
The man in charge of maintaining law and order in Cook Islands
In 1976, a 15-year-old boy from Mauke was about to sail out into the world. Up until then Mauke was his world; he’d never been anywhere else, and for 15 years had enjoyed an idyllic island boy life.
The reason for the season
At the end of a year that has meant different things for all of us, I want to bring some encouragement to our readers. By Pastor Paul Kauri of the Arepua Gateway Church.
Recipe: Taste of paradise
Local meals are incomplete without coconut cream sauces, which add unique flavour to Cook Islands dishes. Here are four of the most favoured. By Mereana Hutchinson.
‘Tourism desperate but it must learn from this crisis’
News of successful Covid-19 vaccine trials have raised hopes in the Pacific that the hard-hit tourism industry will begin to re-open in 2021, yet questions remain as to how it should be revived in general.
The best things in life are often right under our noses
The internet has brought the world closer together. If you want to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York, Google will show you the way in a matter of seconds. However, nothing compares to going to a place for the very first time and feeling, smelling, hearing and tasting everything around you as Katrina Tanirau found out in Nga Pu Toru (Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke) and Mangaia.
The queen of happiness
At 92, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki Mii O’Bryan is the oldest and one of the longest reigning royals in the Cook Islands. Mama Mii hesitantly accepted the title in 1985 but has grown into the role, doing her best for the people. Losirene Lacanivalu met the island’s queen on her first-ever visit to Mitiaro.
Time to turn on the tap, but it’s not that simple
It has been a bumpy ride, but work on Rarotonga’s revamped water system is nearing an end. From the outset, elected leaders were committed to delivering potable water to residents. Cleaner water is now coming through the taps, but it’s not up to international drinking standards yet. Te Mato Vai project manager Peter Free is committed to seeing the ultimate goal become a reality. Emmanuel Samoglou reports.
Born again into the kingdom
There is no question that Jesus believed that all who were given to Him by the Father would come to Christ. By Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro.
Keeping art of tivaevae alive
The outer island travel experience is helping revive traditional art making in the Pa Enua.
Welcome aboard this Air NZ flight
For Addrienne Hosking-Tinirau it’s still sinking in that she will soon take over as the Air New Zealand country manager in Rarotonga – the first woman of Cook Islands descent to hold the position. By Katrina Tanirau.
The secret to happier, healthier life
Henry Tupa is not afraid of death and when the fear of it beckons, he believes and trusts in his Catholic faith to guide him through.
The Flying Nicholas Brothers of Ruatonga: Pt 2
This second of two articles, concludes the story of two courageous brothers from Ruatonga, Tatio and Marama Nicholas, who flew with Bomber Command and the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Second World War. By Rod Dixon.
Journeys of hope, not fear
The global economic standards are at the mercy of this viral demonic pandemic but the God we believe and worship is always in the business of Restoration, Reconciliation, Redemption and Restitution.
THE PACIFIC WAY: Easy eating with this locally-sourced breakfast
This traditional Cook Islands breakfast with locally sourced products is an enjoyable and fun-flavoured start for the day. By Mereana Hutchinson.
For one Mitiaro couple, Home is where the heart is
Since she was a little girl Mitiaro/Nukuroa has always been where Cindyanna Abraham’s heart is. And when you’re a guest at her and her husband Junior’s Divine Retreat, her hope is that you feel like you’re at home too.
The flying Nicholas brothers of Ruatonga
Tuaine Kaitara Nicholas of Ruatonga and his wife Ngatuaine had four boys and three girls. Three of the boys enlisted in the Air Force in WWII and a fourth was directed by his brothers to the Army. In the first of two articles, Rod Dixon tells the story of two of the courageous Nicholas brothers, Tatio and Marama.
Mei po kerekere mai – Maire, the heart of Mauke
When maire ei orders come from Rarotonga, three Mauke sisters get down to work, and trekking into the makatea with sharp jagged rocks is part of their labour. Senior journalist Melina Etches had the firsthand experience of maire ei making during her recent visit to the southern group island.
Saturday is Matariki New Year
Gerald McCormack from the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust on observing the traditional Matariki New Year, which falls today.
Cook Islands loses a music icon
Music icon Dinky Ngatipa passed away this week at the age of 66. He was a stalwart of the legendary Vaimutu String Band. Renowned producer Papa Noo Pare and the Heimana Music Family pen a moving tribute.
