Features

Mitiaro kids take Rorouira apaipai on camp

Saturday 27 February 2010 | Published in Features

An overnight camping trip for a class of Mitiaro students was another chance to put their ‘Rorouira apaipai’ or XO laptops to use. Principal Thomas Samuela says students had to write in their journals on the laptops while they were at camp. He reports that the One Laptop Per Child durable state-of-the-art laptops, which have […]

Vaka series brings Tangaroa to life

Saturday 27 February 2010 | Published in Features

Kimi Enua – vaka on display at the BEachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery “/> Reynolds brings Tangaroa to life in a series of canvas paintings and on two painted vakas with vivid oranges, yellows, blues and greens interlaced with black. The centrepiece of her exhibit at the Beachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery is a painted life-size vaka, […]

Women's wear always island style

Saturday 27 February 2010 | Published in Features

Through a series of life-size prints, Kay George chronicles the change in the attire of local women over the years. The prints track the evolution of women’s adornment in the Cook Islands, marked by the impact of the London Missionary Society in the early 1800s, influences from New Zealand and Tahitian neighbours, the advent of […]

New caf in town

Saturday 27 February 2010 | Published in Features

There’s a new cafe in town, and it’s on wheels. Tuesday through Saturday, Simon and Sharon Stott will be squeezing juice and foaming cappuccinos in their portable cart that’s currently parked on the main road at the Punanga Nui Market. Reefside Rarotonga will be open from 7.30 to about 5 for a month or so […]

Seminar to walk through the Old and New Testaments

Friday 26 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

The Titikaveka Cook islands Christian Church will be hosting a seminar titled ‘Walk Thru the Bible’ starting on March 1 and continuing through to March 5. The seminar will dissect the Old and New Testaments, presenting the scripture in a clear, concise and easy-to-understand format. Evangelist Dr Robert Siakimotu, president for the Open Air Campaigners […]

Finding peace in a storm

Friday 26 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

To voyage with Jesus was to voyage in peace even in a storm. Now that is universally true. It is not something which happened once; it is something which still happens and which can happen for us. In the presence of Jesus we can have peace even in the wildest storms of life. Jesus gave […]

Endangered bird survival critical

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Just 300 of the already endangered Aitutaki Kuramo’o (Blue Lorikeet) are estimated to have survived Cyclone Pat – which could put the survival of the bird in jeopardy if urgent precautions aren’t taken. The Kuramo’o population was assessed by British students last year at more than 3000 birds, but ornithologist Gerald McCormack of the Cook […]

The WeekEnd Crossword

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Living in Liminal Space

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Having resided in Nigeria, Saudia Arabia and Atiu, German-born Andrea Eimke knows what it’s like to live life as a ‘foreign national’. Originally from Dusseldorf, Eimke spent years working around the world as a professional interpreter and then as an embroiderer. The Master of Art and Design course that she’s just finished this week gave […]

Art trail opens up

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Examiners spent yesterday analysing the Master’s of Art and Design final projects. Today, the artists can breathe a sigh of relief and the public can get ready to browse their exhibitions. Last night, Loretta Reynolds unveiled her project at the Beachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery. Hers was the first exhibition to open, and the rest will […]

St Joseph's prefects lead mass

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Twelve St Joseph’s School students were inducted as prefects of the school yesterday at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Avarua. And just to show that they were capable leaders, the young students led the special mass for their induction ceremony reading the day’s scripture and praying for ill family members. After the mass the students […]

Turtle man helps out

Saturday 20 February 2010 | Published in Features

Guests with positive attitudes and a willingness to help clean up Aitutaki after cyclone Pat have made it easier for accommodators on the island to bounce back into business. After the cyclone, the Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas, like many homes and businesses on Aitutaki, sustained damage to its property. But as villa owners Allen and […]

Replant, rebuild, restore - our Godly First Love! Tanutanu, akatu, akaoki akaou mai – to tatou Inangaro Atua Mua!

Friday 19 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

As much relief, replanting, rebuilding and restoring efforts are being implemented and activated these days for our beloved people and island of Aitutaki, we all just need to take a little time to pause to consider what should come first in all that we do. Based upon our Judeo-Christian faith and tradition, every disaster of […]

Rebounding from failure

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

I believe that the current global economic struggle is beginning to be felt in a big way in our country. Families are not only finding it difficult to make ends meet but it is also creating stress in relationships. Some businesses are barely keeping afloat while others have failed miserably. And if life is not […]

Avarua gets new leaders

Saturday 6 February 2010 | Published in Features

Now that Avarua Primary School has inducted 25 young leaders, the school looks forward to another bright year. Twelve boys and thirteen girls were made school prefects in a special induction ceremony at the National Auditorium yesterday morning where parents filled with pride adorned their children with ei and hugs. School principal Gelling Jack spoke […]

American author here for 'writing retreat'

Saturday 6 February 2010 | Published in Features

John Woods, a self-described serial entrepreneur, seems to have found his niche. The author, who recently penned a sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, is on the island finishing his next two novels. Woods said he’s always had a passion for writing, but it wasn’t until he was in his 40s that he decided […]

We need to be seen

Saturday 6 February 2010 | Published in Features

If you are not being seen or heard, then you are nothing, says former environment minister Ngamau Munokoa who attended the Copenhagen meeting on climate change in December. “It is important to go to these meetings — you have to be seen and heard,” says Munokoa of the meeting. And she maintains that having a […]

Copenhagen

Saturday 6 February 2010 | Published in Features

The country’s primary climate change negotiators say despite the disappointing outcome from Copenhagen, the Cook Islands must continue to take part in UN negotiations for an agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol. Climate change negotiator and national environment service’s (NES) international manager, Tania Temata, NES climate change technical officer Pasha Carruthers, and climate change coordinator […]

Art before sport for Eruera Nia

Saturday 6 February 2010 | Published in Features

Contemporary Maori artist Eruera Nia says the two-year Master of Art and Design course has served to ensure his art comes from a strong cultural base. Now in his 60s, he says, “It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself – at my age, higher education at a higher level is a big deal!” Nia describes his […]

Look for the blessings

Friday 5 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Some days we feel as though challenges face us every moment. That whatever we touch, do, plan, or say presents another challenge. Sometimes this is true both in our personal and professional responsibilities. What do you do on such a day? “Look for the Blessings.” When to look for the blessings? When we are facing […]