In Depth
Reconnecting people to address climate change
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Focusing on educating and changing mindsets as a solution to climate change is about reconnecting people to their environment and their resources through agriculture, says Dr Teina Rongo, marine biologist and environment warrior.
Research aims to break down barriers for Cook Islands women in leadership
Monday 21 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, In Depth, National
Christina Akanoa, the Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-H), is making significant strides in understanding the contributions of Cook Islands women in sustainable growth and political involvement.
From darkness to redemption: A journey of transformation and faith
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Mareta Angene Taana was a troubled young woman who has found solace in God, and is transforming her life and relationships. Unleashing the beast of darkness, she is now embracing the radiance of love and light, living with renewed hope.
Christianity brought new hope, new dreams and new prosperity
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In his final article, he talks about the impact of Christianity in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islanders in Hawaii help with relief efforts
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Features, In Depth, Local, National
Hawaiians residing on Rarotonga are devastated by the loss of lives and destruction of historic sites and friends’ properties in the wildfires that have ravaged Lahaina, Hawaii.
Cook Islands’ seabed mining ambitions unaffected by ISA failure to adopt rules
Thursday 10 August 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Cook Islands’ ambition to mine its seabed in the future is ‘unaffected’ by the failure to adopt rules on deep sea mining at a recent international meeting. However, an environment group warns the country against jumping ahead of the work that is still to be concluded.
Christianity lands on Mangaia
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the arrival of Christianity on Mangaia.
Mum’s hope for missing teenage son
Monday 31 July 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Features, In Depth, Local, National, Weekend
A year after a 19-year-old teenager went missing after being dropped off at a bus stop on Rarotonga, his family is still hopeful of finding him.
Papeiha descendants proud of Tahitian missionary’s legacy
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, In Depth, National
Tinomana Tokerau Ariki e tana Tama Ū’ā te Kauariki Rangi and Ekalesia Arorangi e te Vaka Puaikura held a thanksgiving service and special monument unveiling at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church yesterday morning to celebrate the bicentennial arrival of Christianity.
Strengthening ancestral and contemporary links between Cook Islands and Aotearoa
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Aotearoa New Zealand Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and husband Dr Richard Davies enjoyed the hospitality of Rarotonga twice before her official state visit to the Cook Islands last week. In an interview with Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches Dame Cindy reflected on the deep cultural connections between the Cook Islands and Aotearoa NZ and the contemporary relationship the two countries share.
Finding the mental edge
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Mental performance coach David Niethe has advised some of New Zealand’s top sportspeople on reaching their goals. He talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about his career and how he can inspire others.
Death of Ariki’s daughter, an attempt to introduce Christianity to Mangaia
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In his fifth article he talks about how Aitutaki’s Tamatoa Uma-tetiki Ariki embraced Christianity and the first attempt to introduce the Christian faith to the people of Mangaia.
Simply sensational
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, In Depth, League, Sports, Weekend
It takes a bit of convincing to get the victorious Arorangi Bears coach Bobby Hansen to agree to an interview. Hansen says he doesn’t like to “pre-empt things” and apologises for snubbing Cook Islands News for pre and post-match interviews during the season. The newspaper caught up with him during his work break in Aroa where he lays bare the secrets that led to Arorangi’s drought breaking win.
Budget draws mixed reactions: ‘Not enough’, says Opposition
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Features, In Depth, National
The 2023/24 Budget attempted to offer something to the vulnerable while also reining in on expenditure. Cook Islands News senior journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to various stakeholders about their take on the Budget.
Avaavaroa experience gives birth to new passion project
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National, Weekend
Award-winning Cook Islands photographer Alex King has embarked on a new journey involving something she is passionate about – protecting the environment. King talks to Cook Islands News online editor Losirene Lacanivalu about “Te Ara o te Akau – The Meaning Behind the Reef” and the role the country’s newest non-government organisation (NGO) can play in fulfilling her passion.
Appreciating our mothers
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Features, In Depth, Opinion
Do we know how powerful we are? We mothers? With one gentle touch, we can soothe an injury or with a harsh hand, we can injure a heart. With one word, we can crush a dream or inspire hope in our child, whether at three or fifty-three, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.
A migrant worker’s plight : Building good working relationships to stop labour drain
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth
Cook Islands employers are crying foul over the sudden departure of migrant workers to better paying New Zealand and Australian jobs, including some recent arrivals who have left the country without fulfilling their contracts. Online editor Losirene Lacanivalu investigates why these workers are leaving our shores and what can be done to stop this labour drain.
Former Cook Islands resident missing in Torres Strait
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
The search for a popular local identity in the Torres Strait, Denne Bourke, who is a former resident of the Cook Islands, has been scaled down.
Researcher examines criminal deportations to Cook Islands
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week hosted and assisted researcher Henrietta McNeill, a PhD candidate with the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University, with fieldwork in the Cook Islands. McNeill was researching criminal deportations to the Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga as part of her PhD studies.
Planning for a digital future
Saturday 29 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, In Depth
A wide-ranging document is calling on the Cook Islands to take advantage of the digital revolution. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to ICT expert Maureen Hilyard about what changes she would like to see.
