In Depth
Faith and fasting secrets
Saturday 9 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, National, Weekend
This news he had cancer came as a shock to Patrick Arioka, but it also sparked a fierce determination within him. Melina Etches talked to him for this story.
When rugby was simply a way of life
Saturday 26 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
These reminiscences by local rugby stalwarts Amene Rangi and Bob Estall were assembled by staff reporter Melina Etches.
Daughter of late ariki elected Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki
Thursday 24 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, In Depth, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
In a significant occasion for the island of Mitiaro, the daughter of the late Mii Tungane Upokoati O’Bryan, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki OBE, has been elected to assume the esteemed title once held by her mother.
Mangaia’s ‘ringed web of caves’ offers rich geological and historical treasures
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
A team of American cave explorers estimate there may be hundreds of caves yet to be explored on Mangaia in what one team member describes as ‘a ringed web of caves’ rich in geological and historical interest, including evidence of pre-historic exploration, writes Rod Dixon.
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, In Depth
As international experts gathered at the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders in Rarotonga this week, some Cook Islanders joined hands in protest against the proposed deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules containing valuable minerals in the Cook Islands seabed.
Priced out of paradise
Saturday 14 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, In Depth
Despite its efforts to address depopulation, Cook Islands is facing a steady decline in its population due to a combination of economic, social and health factors, leading many residents to seek better opportunities abroad.
‘He waka eke noa – We are all in this together’
Saturday 14 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Cook Islands last week bid farewell to Tūī Dewes, the former Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, who completed a four-year term on September 6, 2024. In an interview with senior journalist Melina Etches, Dewes reflects on her achievements and contributions, shared interests and enhancing Māori-to-Māori ties.
Dr Nio honoured for dental excellence
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, National
A proud dentist from Tai-Ote-Papa on the island of Pukapuka, Dr Kirianu ‘Dash’ Nio, has made history by becoming the first Cook Islander and the eighth in the Pacific region to be recognised as a Fellow of The International College of Dentists (ICD).
Unplanned power outages disrupt businesses, tourism in Rarotonga
Saturday 29 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, Features, In Depth, Local, National, Technology, Weekend
Unexpected power outages in Rarotonga caused frustration and disruption to businesses and residents, raising questions about the reliability of the power grid despite recent upgrades. By Losirene Lacanivalu, Talaia Mika and Melina Etches.
Cook Islands sets an example for Pacific women in politics: Clark
Saturday 1 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
An advocate for women parliamentarians, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark says the Cook Islands sets an example for other Pacific Island countries when it comes to female representation in Parliament.
Service and sacrifice: Puna keeps an ‘open mind’
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, Memory Lane, National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
Former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General later this month, is planning to retire to his island home of Manihiki. But the 75-year-old is keeping an open mind and hasn’t ruled out a return to local political scene just yet. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
“What is our responsibility to the people of Kūki ‘Airani? Our tuakana”
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is the wahine co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, a political party in Aotearoa. Descending from Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine and Ngā Rauru, she is a grassroots activist and environmental campaigner with a lifetime of fighting for indigenous rights. Candice Luke reports.
Papa Spoila keeps ‘Kūkis’ connected
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Multi-talented Cook Islander Tautape Samson wears many hats. Samson is known worldwide as a comedian, a dance tutor, costume designer, and a music artist alongside his siblings in Samson Squad. Candice Luke reports.
Serving the Ui Ariki - A decade of challenges and triumphs for Rakanui
Saturday 6 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Tupuna Rakanui, Te-O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of The House of Ariki), has resigned from his tiresome but rewarding role. But he says: ‘I’m not running away’. In an interview with Cook Islands News reporter Candice Luke, Rakanui reflects on his tenure with a mixed bag of emotions – from regret to pride, and sends well wishes to the new candidates. Although his time in the job has come to a welcomed end, his service to Te Are Ariki will continue.
I still wake up thinking about it: Foster on All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup loss
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Rugby Union, Sports
The sting of the Rugby World Cup final loss, over a month ago, still lingers for former All Blacks coach Ian Foster as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Breaking the generational cycle of violence in the Cook Islands
Monday 27 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
This year’s White Ribbon Day violence against women campaign also included the promotion of ‘A violence-free Cook Islands’, aiming to flip the script and change the narrative to celebrate peace, saying no to violence, domestic abuse, and child abuse and exploitation.
Te Ko‘u summit biodiversity
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
The inland mountains of Rarotonga maintain one of the most pristine tropical forests in the Central South Pacific. Gerald McCormack of Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust explains why.
Black-shouldered Lapwings: Rare vagrants on Rarotonga
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth
On the 30th of August, Maureen Goodwin saw two unusual birds on her inland Muri lawn. She googled and identified them as Australian Southern Lapwings rather than the Northern due to the black ‘ei kakī (collar). Over the next few days, they fed, ran over the lawn, and flew around the area, writes Gerald McCormack, director of Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.
‘Our guardian angels’: Terminally-ill visitor thanks community for help
Monday 18 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, National, Tourism
A terminally-ill Australian grandfather, whose dying wish was to holiday in Rarotonga with his family, was faced with spending his final trip in “crippling, excruciating pain” – until the Cooks community stepped in.
Upholding the provisions of the Rarotonga Treaty
Monday 11 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, National, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Weekend
The Rarotonga Treaty remains a cornerstone of our approach to a nuclear-free zone
