More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
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 Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
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
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Features
Exhibition showcases Aus-Cooks connections
The Australian High Commission in Rarotonga celebrated Australia Day with a beach barbeque and the launch of the ‘Stories of Friendship’ exhibition highlighting Cook Islanders’ connections to Australia.
Balancing tourism and culture
Cook Islands Tourism’s transparent, inclusive and practical planning public consultation which explored the challenges and opportunities tourism brings in all areas of wellbeing, drew a good number of community members.
Rituals and reasons many and varied
The reasons for haircutting ceremonies and its history in the Cook Islands vary from island to island and family to family. One thing that is for sure is that the ceremony brings extended families and communities together in honour of ancestors past and futures yet to be written. Puna Rakanui, emcee at the recent haircutting […]
Ezekiels lineage upheld in tradition
Five-year-old Ezekiel Tuatea Tatuava-Enjoy is still getting used to his new shorter haircut after the young Atiu warrior had his locks cut in a traditional ceremony on Saturday, January 7. While Ezekiel, the son of Annabelle and Masterton Enjoy, understands that cutting his hair for the first time was a special occasion and big deal […]
Drumming out new year's greeting
Drumming group Te Vaerua Kuki Airani from Tereora set out to circle the island with drums beating and wishes of a prosperous New Year on Monday, January 2. The drummers were one of a number of groups that circled the island to celebrate the New Year in customary style.
Crab munching on Mauke visit
In today’s Kids Page we feature more wonderful and creative writing by students of Apii Te Uki Ou in Turangi. Travelling lions all know that a Sensible lion must not ride on a boat. Boats are not for big sharp teeth, Imagine all the people running and Screaming! I wonder how many people hide and […]
Is it time to look at the end result of the freedom we take for granted?
There is a freedom to life in the Cook Islands and much of this is what makes people want to live here. There is a feeling of safety, enough to let children wander out of sight when in other countries they would never leave your side, and to enjoy the wind blowing through your hair […]
The year that was - Entertainment
Local DJ Eddie Eddilicious Chambers DJs at Big Day Out, one of Aucklands biggest music festivals. Samoan hip-hop legend King Kapisi releases a music video for Salvation, which was shot on location at Pacific Resort Rarotonga, the Punanga Nui marketplace and in Muri lagoon. A Japanese film crew from Osakas MBS, which broadcasts a Saturday […]
Te Uki Ou yearbook poetry
If I was one of, The ALL BLACKS Id run down the field And score a try against South Africa And the ALL BLACKS Will win! I am in my house reading a Good book then a noise started. My tired dad snoring away. My busy my washing the dishes. My scary dogs barking noisily. […]
New cookbook of the year has Rarotonga links
A cookbook written by Paddy Walkers daughter Michal McKay has been awarded Cookbook of the Year at New Zealands Gourmand Awards, making it a contender for the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris in March. Yesterday McKay, who is holidaying with her mum for the festive season, received advice that the book has been shortlisted […]
Ngaro enters NZ parliament
Following the National Partys landslide win in New Zealands recent government elections, list MP Alfred Ngaro has become the first Cook Islander in Aotearoas parliament. Ngaro (45), who was born in Auckland to Cook Islands parents, delivered his maiden speech in the Beehive on December 21, New Zealand time. Chanting a pe’e and honouring his […]
23 Christmas wishes
Brave Ngamata, 5 – I’m wishing for a toy shotgun, so I can shoot other people. For Christmas lunch I wish for burgers and chips. “/> David Bridge, Air New Zealand Cook Islands manager (standing at far left) May the happy moments of Christmas brighten every day of the New Year, 2012 , and may […]
Local tattoo art the subject of new book
The much-anticipated Patterns of the Past the 224-page book about the art of tatau in the Cook Islands has been officially launched. It was introduced to Auckland on December 13 at Tav Pacific, and will be re-launched in Rarotonga next March. Copies of the $49.95 book were on sale at a 10% discount at the […]
The art of rito hats
They adorn heads across the Cook Islands, the intricate and beautifully woven rito hats. Every Sunday in churches they are proudly worn by women and sometimes men, in a multitude of patterns, colours and styles. It is an art form that is unique to the Cook Islands and they are most commonly made in the […]
Student creativity at Tereora
When the war was done and youth stone dead I try to remember them for their brave hearts Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes Shall shine holy glimmers of goodbyes Worried we are by ones we could not find And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds In all my dreams, […]
Spirits with Pa Ariki on big day
Pa Marie Ariki felt the familiar presence of her guardian angel Taakura during the Thursday ceremony that marked the completion of her palace. Taakura, she says, was with her and with the people of Takitumu, who gathered to celebrate the long-awaited occasion. The opening of the palace at Mata Enua was a spiritually significant occasion […]
Cooks heritage needs support
The Cook Islands should take more steps to empower its traditional structures and uphold its heritage, according to the paramount chief of Takitumu. In a new exhibition detailing the past, present and future of the Pa Ariki title, the current titleholder Pa Marie Ariki said the traditional power structure of the Cook Islands could be […]
Exploring the history of Pa Ariki
The history, lineage, artefacts and district of the Pa Ariki title will be explored and explained at a new exhibition at the Cook Islands National Museum. The exhibition brings together written, verbal and photographic material from the last 600 years to cover the story and development of the Pa Ariki title since it was first […]
Pa Ariki O Takitumu exhibition
The origins of the Pa Ariki title, Paramount Chief of Takitumu, dates back to the time of legendary Polynesian hero Tangiia, who was recorded to have founded and settled on Rarotonga around 1350AD. Tangiia was one of the first early discoverers of Rarotonga, and the architect of the ariki system that is recognised on the […]
Its a rap for Cooks cousins
A family band of Cook Islands expatriates is back at home for the month and the boys have booked in a busy slew of shows to get back in touch with the place. The Sydney-based group of Atiuan performers Family in Trust is on Rarotonga for the rest of December, bringing their distinctive blend of […]
Never a dull moment on Suwarrow
James Mataa returned from a six-month stint on Suwarrow two weeks ago. It was the second consecutive season he spent looking after the Cook Islands’ national park. His contract as the island’s caretaker is coming to an end, and he is busy writing reports and de-briefing the National Environment Service on the time he spent […]
Bishop to give Apia a taste of Aitutaki
Miss South Pacific contender Uirangi Bishop is getting ready to give Apia a bit of Cook Islands flavour. Bishop left for Samoa last week accompanied by her team and reigning Miss South Pacific Joyana Meyer. This week she has been attending official functions and getting to know the girls shes up against in tomorrows pageant. […]