Features
Island time and warm smiles
Saturday 1 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local, Weekend
Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches recently visited Atiu to cover the Tamariki Api’i Kūki ʻĀirani – TAKA Educational Trust sponsorship handover. While there, she delved into the island’s unique lifestyle, exploring cultural sites and meeting the welcoming locals.
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.
Local students participate in Chinese comp
Saturday 1 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
A Chinese Bridge Competition held at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Campus this week saw students participating in Chinese language and proficiency and discussing their understanding of the Chinese culture.
Church talk: Judge not
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
When it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Local chefs get culinary boost
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Food, Local, National
The first CITC Culinary Workshop Series drew around 40 food professionals from the hospitality industry on the island.
Opposition MPs walk out of PAC over chair appointment
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, National, Parliament, Politics
The three Opposition Members of Parliament have quit the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the appointment of the new chair, leaving four Government MPs reviewing the Appropriation Bill 2024-25.
Cook Islands unveils stunning uniforms for FestPAC
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
With just two more sleeps until their departure, the 160-strong Cook Islands delegation to Honolulu, Hawai’i for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) is making final arrangements for the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders.
Children’s author sparks elemental shift in Cook Islands Māori
Thursday 30 May 2024 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Art, Features
A children’s book author is working to introduce new words into the Cook Islands Māori language, which if successful will make the Cook Islands the first Pasifika nation to expand their language into sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology.
Atiu’s passionate guardian: Jim revives culture and connects youth to heritage
Thursday 30 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local, National, Outer Islands
A humble, unassuming and skillful young man, Joshua Jim is a passionate guardian of his home island Atiu’s cultural heritage.
Team Cook Islands prepares for FestPAC with fundraising concert
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Cook Islands is sending a 160-member delegation to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii, with a fundraising concert and official send-off planned before their departure.
Decades of dedication: Ngametua pledges continued service to women’s fellowship
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Mata o te au Orometua Vaine Ngateitei, Akevai Ngametua, president of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship, has been “serving God” alongside her husband Orometua Ngateitei Reverend Moutaiki Ngametua for over four decades.
CICC vainetini celebrate faith and friendship at weeklong conference
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship members have gathered for a weeklong conference from Sunday, May 26 to Sunday, June 2, to share and celebrate their journey of spiritual faith and friendship.
The return of the champions
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Tauranga Vananga’s Te Mire Ura dance extravaganza for the Expatriates, Experts, Golden Oldies, and Masters divisions yet again delighted the audience over the weekend in the grand finale of the annual series of individual competitions.
Honouring her cultural heritage
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, Go Local, National
To honour her cultural heritage, rising elite athlete and Cook Islander Tiana Baker Echegaray has chosen a uniquely designed and Polynesian-inspired logo for her promotional apparel.
Atiu Tīvaivai Exhibit showcases generations of craft and culture
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Features, Go Local, Local, National, Outer Islands
An exhibit in Atiu showcases the traditional craft of tivaivai, hand-stitched quilts made by women, with efforts to keep the art alive amongst younger generations.
Highland Paradise Competition fights to keep traditions alive
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Culture, Education, Features, Food, Go Local, National
Apii Arorangi was crowned the overall winners of the 2024 Highland Paradise Cultural Competition held on Thursday.
‘It takes a village’: Rotumans in Rarotonga unite to keep culture alive
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Solomone Taukei | Published in Features, Fiji, Go Local, Regional, Weekend
The Rotuman community in Rarotonga recently celebrated Rotuma Day, marking the anniversary of the island’s cession to Great Britain on May 13, 1881.
Rarotonga, Honolulu to establish sister-city relationship, says PM
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
As leader of the Cook Islands delegation, Prime Minister Mark Brown will be travelling to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) in Hawai’i next month.
Rarotonga resort prioritises sustainability to meet eco- conscious tourist demands
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, Go Local, National, Tourism
A Rarotonga-based resort is participating in a German-funded green hydrogen project to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable for environmentally conscious tourists.
Church talk: Finding peace in the midst of busyness
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
In today’s fast-paced world, the beauty and peacefulness of the Cook Islands can often seem at odds with the demands of modern life, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
