Features
Cook Islands-based NCD research looks at early-life health for wellbeing
Tuesday 9 February 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Go Local
Siobhan Tu'akoi discusses her groundbreaking research into non-communicable disease risk in the Cook Islands.
From hunters to watchers – whaling in Raro waters
Saturday 6 February 2021 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Commercial shore-based whaling began on Rarotonga in 1865 with the help of Rarotongan whaler Jimmy Pi’i and members of a Ngāpuhi family from New Zealand. With whale numbers already in decline, it soon became clear a commercial industry was not viable. Yet a local taste for whale-meat meant opportunistic whale-hunting continued off Rarotonga and Aitutaki for almost another century.
Pooch perfect! Dog groomer at your service
Saturday 6 February 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Go Local
Keeping your dogs healthy by brushing their teeth, cleaning their ears, trimming their nails and brushing their coats is essential but it can never be easy. For Victoria Teio, her dog grooming business ‘Kuri Cutts’ can do all this for you.
CHURCH TALK: The origin of Valentine’s Day
Friday 5 February 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
I have been a Catholic priest for 46 years and have never preached a sermon on St. Valentine. I find it strange that businesses have taken over the feast day, February 14th and in our church, you will not hear any mention of St. Valentine on that day, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Island life showcased in fashion wear
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment, Features
While growing up, Cook Islands fashion designer and aspiring school teacher Toka Toka has always carried his mother’s advice: “In all that you do, do not forget God. He is the reason you are blessed with your talent.” This has become his mantra for success.
Pursuing pizza perfection
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s been a long road for Adam’s Pizza to get their business to where it is today. Along the way, owners and married couple Adam and Sabrina Connelly have caught some lucky breaks, but the backbone of their business is a steely determination to do things right.
Trusting God in the lion’s den
Friday 29 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
You might be enduring your own personal ‘den of lions’ right now, but remember that no matter what your circumstances are, God loves you, writes John Mateara of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
‘When Chantal is quiet, she’s learning’
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Entertainment, Features, Go Local
The permanent smile on her face shows that Chantal Napa is a go-getter. In partnership with American Haydn Adams, she turned a bad situation initiated by Covid-19, into a golden opportunity.
Globetrotter says ‘ka kite’ to Cooks and its infamous canines
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
After an extended stay in the Cook Islands, tourist-turned-volunteer Karolina Szelag is saying goodbye today to a country that gave her so much more than she ever expected.
First wedding of the year
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga businessman Stephen Lyon and his long-time partner Lovelyn Gatchalian exchanged their vows in front of family and close friends this week. The wedding held at Ra Mura in Betela, Arorangi, was a special one – it was the first wedding of the year.
Begin by putting God first
Friday 22 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Do not be satisfied in being the same person you have always been but put God first and learn to walk with Him every day, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa of Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
A ‘Whopper’ of an opportunity
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
In the midst of a pandemic, local tour guides and creatives found themselves working together to help create an ad campaign for one of Oceania’s most recognisable brands.
Thriving in a man’s world
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Frances Taoro returned to her birthplace Mauke in October 2003 for a short visit but an experience there led her to change her mind. She stayed back and started a business operating from a small room on the verandah of their family home. Today, her one stop shop Kato’s General Store continues to thrive.
‘Be proud of who you are’
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Dr Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen is passionate about Cook Islands culture and is now on a mission to record all he has experienced and learned in a book to preserve the country’s culture for future generations.
Discovering your identity and purpose
Friday 15 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
We need to know that we have purpose in life, that we’re not just an accident, that regardless of our situation, there is still purpose and meaning to our lives, writes Pastor Paul Kauri.
Rukau - A simple delight
Thursday 14 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Food
A staple at many island tables, but it must be thoroughly cooked to eliminate the needle-like crystals of oxalate that can burn your throat.
Embarking on a second homecoming
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Features, Weekend
At the beginning of 2019, Vainepoto Tangaroa traded her mum’s slice of paradise, Gisborne and Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, for that of her late father’s, the beautiful Cook Islands. Tangaroa tells associate editor Katrina Tanirau why it’s a decision she’s glad she made.
Teaching the teachers of te reo Maori
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
Deploying an effective academic programme is challenging in the best of times, but it took a pandemic to bring together an all-star roster of Cook Islands academics that are helping a group of local University students to revitilise te reo o te Kuki Airani.
Rangokere – a time to share, be grateful and appreciate Mauke
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The Christmas and New Year Day festive season in Mauke is about “rangokere” – the gifting of baskets of food, the picnics, the joyful songs and dances and the hosting of specially prepared feasts in homes – teretere or roni.
‘Being in Mauke really felt like going home’
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Tere Carr, husband Mike, children Kiva and Maeva, and mother Rongo Preston chose to spend the Christmas break on Mauke, a place she had last visited in the early 1990s.
