Art
Arorangi CICC on track for June rededication
Wednesday 31 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
The Arorangi CICC church renovations team are steaming ahead in their preparations for the 200-year Arrival of the Gospel commemoration in Arorangi, which will be completed in time for the rededication of the church on Thursday June 22.
All eyes on Japan
Tuesday 30 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
There’s one thing glaringly obvious when I land in Tokyo - it’s big and it’s fast. Overwhelming at first, as the bus carrying me to my accommodation makes a two- hour journey through the massive metropolis. Al Williams was in Hiroshima, Japan to cover the G7 Summit and gives his account of a journey made possible by the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand.
Agronomist Purea awarded OBE for public and community service
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
Dr Teariki (Mat) Matairangi Purea, an agronomist by profession, was conferred and presented with the Queen’s Award – “Officer of the British Empire” (OBE) – in the King’s Chamber at the Cook Islands Consulate in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand for his services to public services, community and the pacific region.
Stitching together friendships – Vainetini in good and bad times
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Tuitui (sewing), creating tivaivai and textile crafts is a time for sharing. It is a communal activity when women gather to share, to build friendships, to talk and share a meal while working on their designs. Melina Etches reports.
Quilting group sew bonds of friendship
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The women in the Vaimaanga Vainetini sewing group meet each week to chat, share a meal and sew together.
Cook Islands chefs prepare for global challenge
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Food
Cook Islands chefs will feature in the Global Chefs Challenge Pacific Rim Semi Final event at the Arena in Auckland, New Zealand during the Fine Foods Festival next month from Sunday, June 25 to Tuesday, June 27.
Cook Islander crowned World Fire Knife Dance champ
Wednesday 24 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
A Cook Islands born female fire dancer has been crowned the World Fire Knife Dance champion in Hawaii.
Catch of the day!
Wednesday 24 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features
Pukapuka residents clean a good haul of different species of parrot fish they landed yesterday morning.
Paikea sets sail for Samoa
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, National, Tourism
Vaka Paikea is on its way to Apia, Samoa travelling the 800 nautical miles using traditional voyaging knowledge under the captaincy of master navigator Peia Patai.
The church that built Arorangi
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, Weekend
Renovations are well underway and nearly complete at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) in preparation for the 200-year commemoration of the arrival of Christianity to Arorangi on July 26. Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki accepted the gospel to Puaikura on 26 July, 1823. Secretary of the Arorangi CICC, Okirua Teokoitu shares the church history with senior journalist Melina Etches and updates on the renovations.
Cook Islands reps attend training to preserve audiovisual taonga
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
New Zealand’s audiovisual archive Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision supported by Manatū Taonga (New Zealand Ministry for Cultural Heritage) are providing two digitisation kits to the Cook Islands.
‘Biggest charity ball’ rakes in $30k
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Two hundred and forty-four guests attended the extravagant Cook Islands Red Cross Society Crowning Ball fundraising event last Saturday which raised a whopping $30,000.
Preparations well underway for Bicentennial Celebrations in Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke
Friday 12 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, Local, National
A group from Aitutaki is preparing to attend the 200th Anniversary of the arrival of Christianity on the neighbouring islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke and Rarotonga.
Hapū Wānanga shares with Nui Rarotonga
Wednesday 10 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Women from Hapū Wānanga, Waikato New Zealand are visiting Rarotonga to assist with the new Pregnancy Care Centre ‘Nui Rarotonga’ - a free community based course focused on empowering women with knowledge and support about pregnancy, birth and baby arrival.
Te Hokianga o Ngāti Tūmatauenga ki Rarotonga II for ANZAC
Saturday 29 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
Hundreds of Ngāti Tūmatauenga (The Tribe of the God of War) members – the Aotearoa New Zealand Army veterans and current officers – have reunited in Rarotonga for Te Hokianga o Ngāti ki Rarotonga II reunion and paid tribute to the fallen Anzac soldiers at this week’s Dawn Service.
A dazzling night of dance and spectacular costumes
Saturday 29 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
The Junior and Intermediate performers who hit the stage at the annual Tauranga Vananga Te Mire Ura cultural dance competition on Thursday night, thrilled the large audience with their dazzling choreography and spectacular costumes.
Pride and joy for Cook Islands Māori culture
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The successful Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival held earlier this week demonstrated the joy and pride children of the Cook Islands have for Maori culture.
Stage set for Youth Festival
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features, Football, Sports
Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is excited to kick off their 4th edition of the Kia Orana Youth Football Festival which is set to begin in Rarotonga in a week’s time.
Loud and proud: Nootai wows crowd with powerful pe’e
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Nukutere College Year 9 student leader Elijah Nootai proudly showcased his love of culture on stage in front of a packed National Auditorium during the annual Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival on Wednesday night.
Presentation on Paikea and ancestral connections
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features
Cook Islands archaeologist and Pacific programmer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Ma’ara Maeva will be making a special presentation at the National Museum this afternoon from 12 noon to 2pm on “Paikea: Ancestral connections and stories woven in the stars”.
