Features
The battle is won, the war goes on
Saturday 22 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
The Cook Islands Parliament passed landmark legislation decriminalising homosexuality last week. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to two of those at the forefront of the push towards this historic legislation.
New eatery proves to be a hit
Saturday 22 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s a combined effort for a husband and wife team who have transformed a ramshackle facility into a retail and eatery outlet in the heart of Rarotonga.
Using Cook Islands experience to develop young leaders
Saturday 22 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
Fifty-four young leaders from New Zealand and Australia connected with Cook Islands students for a week-long leadership programme. Student alumni Joel Taylor describes their experience in Rarotonga.
Church talk: ‘Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you’
Friday 21 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Adultery is sin, fornication is sin, homosexuality too is sin. All must come to Jesus to be warranted freedom from all sins and salvation in Jesus Christ alone, writes Bishop Tutai Pere of Apostolic Church Rarotonga.
‘I’m everywhere’: Meet Titikaveka Community Patrol’s sole officer
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
James ‘Big John’ Mataa has been watching over his village as sole officer of the Titikaveka Community Patrol ten hours a night, every night for the past five years. Joanne Holden reports.
Cook Islands hairdresser expands business
Wednesday 19 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
A Rarotonga businesswoman has opened her second hair salon business to give local and visiting customers another grooming option to choose from.
The power of language
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Opinion, Virtues in Paradise
I’m so happy to be back in the Cook Islands and to resume this column after three and a half years away in Hawaii. Someone recently asked me, “What is a virtue anyway?” By Linda Kavelin-Popov.
Pride and joy for Cook Islands Māori culture
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The successful Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival held earlier this week demonstrated the joy and pride children of the Cook Islands have for Maori culture.
Neil Dearlove – ‘A dreamer, a motivator, an adventurer’
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by John Woods | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Writing with deep sadness and heartfelt sympathy for the Dearlove family, Cook Islands News journalist and publisher John Woods penned this obituary for his friend and former neighbour Neil Dearlove, the well known café operator and coffee roaster who died this week and was buried at sea on Thursday.
Stage set for Youth Festival
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features, Football, Sports
Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is excited to kick off their 4th edition of the Kia Orana Youth Football Festival which is set to begin in Rarotonga in a week’s time.
God’s timeless mystery at work in our midst
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Easter is not a single Sunday in the year. Rather it has to be a way of life, a daily process of transformation assuring us of our divine destiny – a life in God, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Loud and proud: Nootai wows crowd with powerful pe’e
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Nukutere College Year 9 student leader Elijah Nootai proudly showcased his love of culture on stage in front of a packed National Auditorium during the annual Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival on Wednesday night.
‘Persevere always’: Tribute to Reverend Oirua Rasmussen
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Reverend Oirua Rasmussen was man of the cloth – a Minister who provided spiritual leadership and enlightenment to members of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia for over 25 years. He passed away last month on March 29, aged 60.
Presentation on Paikea and ancestral connections
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Features
Cook Islands archaeologist and Pacific programmer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Ma’ara Maeva will be making a special presentation at the National Museum this afternoon from 12 noon to 2pm on “Paikea: Ancestral connections and stories woven in the stars”.
Tourism to get boost at Pacific Islands Forum
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, National, Pacific Islands Forum
Cook Islands will play a huge role in bringing leaders of all Pacific nations together at this year’s 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Self-service laundry facility launched in Rarotonga
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Go Local
A new laundromat service providing walk-in services for customers opened in Avarua, Rarotonga on Thursday.
Religious celebration basis of Gragg’s new exhibition
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Features
The artist who founded the Cook Islands’ premier art gallery has used a painting she created 15 years ago to showcase the ‘joy, variety, and innovation’ of one of the island nation’s oldest religious celebrations as a springboard for her latest exhibition.
Utilising our diaspora: Rangi’s journey of community service and governance
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Derek Fox | Published in Features, Weekend
Caren Rangi, a highly qualified Cook Islander who lives in New Zealand, has just completed seven and a half years on the Board of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) – one of the government’s most powerful agencies. She shares her journey of community service and governance with Rarotonga resident and prominent Kiwi journalist Derek Fox.
NZ chilli-eating champ gets taste of Rarotonga
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Food
The three-time New Zealand chilli-eating champion and former Oceania Belt holder connected with the “chilli heads” of Rarotonga during his first-ever trip to the Cook Islands recently, and sees potential for the sport to grow in the island nation. Joanne Holden reports.
Proud Cook Islander continues work of art
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Features
Cook Islander Joyana Finch (nee Meyer) has released a new series of designs on her Mrs. J Finch website. Finch had released children’s science books ‘Buzz the Electron’ and ‘Violet the Photon’ in 2021 which she illustrated in Rarotonga.
