Features
Using theatre to approach tough topics
Saturday 24 April 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Entertainment, Features
Bringing the voices of young Pasifika women to the forefront is a passion of 22-year-old Cook Islands scriptwriter and actor.
Wings and ‘whirlybirds’ over Mangaia
Saturday 24 April 2021 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
In 1945 the ariki of Mangaia offered New Zealand land for an airstrip. In the same year, the ending of the Second World war released thousands of ex-pilots and surplus aircraft to service remote air-routes around the world. While other countries took advantage, another 30 years would pass before commercial aircraft landed on Mangaia. By Rod Dixon
CHURCH TALK: A message of hope
Friday 23 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
This article is dedicated to two great men that have passed this week from the Vaka Puaikura. Beresford Henry “Black” Heather and John Glassie Mateara, who was a regular contributor to this column. These were great life influencers to many people and had many followers.
Aitutaki’s Mouarii Café – ‘This is my dream, this is me’
Monday 19 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Go Local
A year on from the onset of Covid-19, there remain a selection of cafés on Aitutaki that serve fresh delicious meals at affordable prices, so there are no excuses not to eat out when you visit the island.
Reminiscing about Manihiki, the Islands of Pearls
Saturday 17 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features
Those who’ve had a chance to visit Manihiki begin dreaming about returning as soon as they leave. But for Manihikians who leave their island home for opportunities abroad, returning is sometimes an obligation.
‘Just get on a boat and go!’
Saturday 17 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local, Outer Islands
Master boat builder Teokotai ‘Tango’ Herman has been in the business for some 40 years and has built many boats but none bigger than the new Air Rarotonga aluminium catamaran he is currently working on.
Aitutaki experience: An Easter getaway to paradise
Saturday 17 April 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Weekend
Since moving to Rarotonga from New Zealand earlier in the year, journalist Caleb Fotheringham and his schoolteacher wife Jess have been hearing a lot about Aitutaki. During the Easter break they travelled to the Southern Group island to find out what the hype was all about.
CHURCH TALK: The extent of God’s amazing love
Friday 16 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
God’s amazing love was the main talking point at the recent ‘National Thanksgiving Prayer Service’ held last weekend. It was an opportunity to not only encourage our nation and also reflect on God’s goodness and mercies throughout the cyclone season, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa.
We’re away, home again in September
Wednesday 14 April 2021 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Features, In Depth
The Pacific Golden Plover or Tōrea is our most common Alaskan migrant. It is conspicuous on large grassy areas during the summer and most are now in their dramatic breeding plumage and ready to depart for Alaska. By Gerald McCormack of Natural Heritage Trust.
Tracing back Marsters family lineage
Monday 12 April 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth
Caroline Akakaingaro Raea, nee Marsters, was unaware that a collection of her Marsters family photos ever existed, until her 70th birthday. And to her surprise these photos were located in the very library that her daughter Taputukura Raea works in, the National Library of New Zealand.
Are Taunga of Araura - 'We invest our Ariki in our traditional procedures'
Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The investiture of the second Tamatoa Ariki was held last week, just over a month after Taraota Tom was invested with the title on the island of Aitutaki. House of Ariki, the parliamentary body composed of Cook Islands high chiefs, refused to attend both investitures because of the "ongoing dispute over the title". But the sub chiefs backing the newly-crowned Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa say they will decide the legitimate holder.
Palmerston remembers Prince Philip's 1971 visit
Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
The people of Palmerston Island took a day off from work yesterday to pay respect to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Covid mass testing lab won't be ready when country 'opens for business'
Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown's date for a two-way travel bubble on May 1 will come before the country has a rapid Covid-19 testing system.
He is the way, the truth and the life
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
To believe the gospel is to put faith in Him who is himself the Gospel, and faith in Christ is faith in God, writes Reverend Vaka Ngaro of Cook Islands Christian Church.
Mutiny on the Vaka? The story of unescorted Mangaian sea voyage
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Almost 30 years ago, a Mangaian vaka set sail for Rarotonga with no electronic or navigational aids, no captain and no escort vessel. The vaka was ‘missing’ for two days and a night and mounting concerns for the crew’s safety sparked an air and sea search. Here the vaka’s navigator, the late Ma’ara Peraua, and crew member Maire Kareroa record their memories of the voyage, while extracts from Rod Dixon’s 1992 diary describe reactions on the ground in Mangaia.
Aitutaki plans major celebration to mark 200 years of Christianity
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Religion is one of the strong foundations of the Cook Islands culture. Christianity arrived here in 1821 and played a major part in shaping the future of this country and its people.
Six months on: Has helmet law made Raro roads safer?
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in In Depth
The mandatory helmet law came into force after multiple seatbacks on October 1, 2020. Six months on, has the controversial law made any difference? Caleb Fotheringham investigates.
The Ocean’s Youngest Monsters Are Ready for Glamour Shots
Thursday 1 April 2021 | Written by The New York Times | Published in Features, In Depth
Divers practicing blackwater photography are helping marine scientists gain new insights into fish larvae. By Erik Olsen from The New York Times.
‘I am woman, hear me roar’
Tuesday 30 March 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
An official parade attended by dignitaries, past police commissioners and police personnel was held yesterday morning to mark the 50th anniversary of women in Cook Islands Police.
One year inside the Cook Islands Covid-free bubble
Sunday 28 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
Curiosity, fear, uncertainty, hardship, perseverance, isolation, hope, strength of community – Cook Islands News looks back at 12 months of Covid-19.
