Features
Artists wanted for 2024 Hawaii Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Next year the world's largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders is to make a spectacular re-appearance at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) which will convene in Honolulu, Hawaii, 6–16 June 2024.
Author and historian seeks to trace the arrival of the Gospel
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Coming of the Gospel is the latest publication from author and historian Howard Henry who has published it through his Sovereign Pacific Publishing Company.
Nuku Day commemorates Christianity
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Each year on Gospel Day draws an assembly from each of the six Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) on Rarotonga to perform their gospel dramas, or nuku to commemorate the Arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
Cooks photographer makes waves across the ocean
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features, National
Award-winning photographer and turtle tour operator Charlotte Piho has been selected to represent the Oceania region in the Middle East.
Cook Islands documentary ‘Taonga’ continues to wow global film festivals
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Taonga, a short documentary film about Cook Islands artist and activist Mike Tavioni, directed and produced by local filmmaker Glenda Tuaine, has been screened worldwide and most recently at the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Budding netballer steps up to the international arena
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Netball, Pacific Games, Sports, Weekend
Mere-Jean Piri is set to make her Cook Islands debut as the youngest player on the national team looks forward to the Nations Cup challenge in Singapore.
Guns and roads in southwest Rarotonga
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Editorials, Environment, Features, Local, National, Opinion, Weekend
The old deserted and controversial Sheraton Hotel in Vaimaanga is getting a new lease of life after Rarotonga businessman Chris Vaile took on the challenge to redevelop the site into a high-end apartment property complete with other amenities.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
‘We felt at home’: The PNG village inspiring Cook Islands league teams
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, League, Sports, Weekend
The light rain that began to fall as Cook Islands players and staff got off their team buses told them they were in the village of their ancestors, but Toru Arakua and Crystal Tamarua didn’t realise how closely connected their families were to Hanuabada, a coastal village in Papua New Guinea. NRL.com senior reporter Brad Walter reports.
🇵🇬 PNG kids going OFF for #Fiji & #cookislands #rugbyleague stars! 🇫🇯🇨🇰 it's a religion 😍❤️ #nrl #pasifika pic.twitter.com/B3Y4tlG7nS
— 𝙋𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙆𝘼 𝙍𝙐𝙂𝘽𝙔 𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙂𝙐𝙀 (@PasifikaRL) October 18, 2023
Early detection is key: Breast cancer survivors celebrated
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known worldwide as Pink October, and the Cook Islands joined the world in raising awareness of the disease with a special event on Thursday.
Church Talk: Standing with Israel
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Growing up in a Pacific Island Church in Papakura, I have semi-fond memories as a 10-year-old memorising Psalm 46 – the whole chapter for our annual “Irava Tatou”. I say semi-fond, for while I am immensely grateful now, as a passionate follower of Jesus, Psalm 46 is ingrained in my heart. However, that wasn’t the attitude I had when I was 10, no siree! Paul Kauri, lead pastor at The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church writes.
Rarotonga-based filmmaker brings his latest film ‘home’
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
The co-writer and co-director of New Zealand feature film Uproar was in the middle of making the comedy-drama when he decided to move to the tropical Cook Islands.
Marae Moana art project creates more awareness
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Environment, Features, National
Aitutaki students have conveyed strong messages through “amazing art” pieces to signify the importance of ocean conservation and its environment.
Club Raro’s Jalapenos: A must-try for couples
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Food, Go Local
Recommended for couples only, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the welcoming, friendly environment offered at Club Raro restaurant and bar.
Prayer for Israel: Pilgrims recount Israel-Hamas war experience
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A special prayer session for the people of Israel will be held at Terevete Park in Avarua tomorrow night. A Cook Islands couple who returned home from Israel after making it out of the war-torn country in the wake of an unprecedented attack by Hamas is calling on people to come together and pray for families that have been affected.
Reviving Rarotonga’s native flora
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga’s native flora has nearly disappeared from the island’s coast, a 150-metre ascent into the mountains required to find thriving examples of its original ecosystem. The only other place is a nursery in Matavera.
The magic of music: Dame Kiri Jeanette Claire Te Kanawa attends Opera in Rarotonga
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
The audience was entertained by operatic Arias, classics and contemporary, “trying to get everyone on the edge of their seats and to have fun.”
A second shot at greatness: Netballer Taripo comes out of retirement
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Netball, Pacific Games, Sports, Weekend
Veteran netballer Curly Taripo is all set to make her return to the national side after being named in the Cook Islands team for the Nations Cup and the Pacific Games later in the year.
‘Our culture is deeply ingrained within us, and it is our responsibility to hold onto it’
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
One of the biggest and most vibrant Cook Islands cultural festival in the world – Te Maeva Nui ō Aotearoa New Zealand – thundered to a close at the Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, late last month. This year’s biennial event which had over 1500 performers saw some first timers who shared their experience with senior journalist Melina Etches.
The Scottish kumete from Atiu via Tahiti
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
Standing in the middle of the Grand Gallery of the Edinburgh Museum is the largest kumete in the world. But how did it get there, asks Rod Dixon.
