Features
‘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.
Facing new challenges in 2021
Friday 8 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The year 2020 had chartered our course through challenges and disruptions of Covid-19, but praise be to our God, for His unwavering grace which allowed us to come through safe and sound, writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Avarua Ekalesia.
Matu rori – the best tasting spaghetti from the sea
Thursday 7 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Food
The fatty spaghetti-like tissue inside the sea cucumber is a Cook Islands delicacy, writes Mereana Hutchinson.
Inclusion for all members of our society
Tuesday 5 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
Parents and families of children/adults with disabilities or genetic conditions have battled for some time for their loved ones to be included and accepted in society.
2020: The year that was
Saturday 2 January 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Features, Weekend
It goes without saying that Covid-19 is the story of 2020, hands down. The virus dominated the headlines during the year, with many of the most popular stories shedding light on the impact it has had on all of us. But Covid-19 wasn’t the only story of the year. Cook Islands News takes a look back at the pandemic and other stories that defined the year 2020 …
‘You try and fit your life into a paragraph’
Saturday 2 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
When former Cook Islands News editor Jonathan Milne and his family visit Atiu Villas, the story-telling rambles late into the night, and beyond.
'We are all in this together'
Saturday 2 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Let us all continue to share our joys with one another, our concerns with one another, challenges with one another, needs with one another, outreach sharing and compassion with one another, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
The most popular online stories of 2020
Saturday 2 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
Here’s the top 10 online stories of 2020 from Cookislandsnews.com.
The unforgettable serenity of the north
Saturday 26 December 2020 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
During a trip to the Northern Cook Islands, journalist Emmanuel Samoglou saw places of incredible beauty but facing isolation, a lack of resources, and economic hardship. Yet at the same time, he met residents who often described a freedom that comes from choosing to live life on modest terms. In this second of a two-part series, he moves on from Pukapuka to visit Manihiki and Penrhyn atolls of the Northern Cook Islands.
An Oxford University professor’s ‘Eureka!’ moment on Rarotonga
Saturday 26 December 2020 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
A collision between a Rarotonga hire-bike and a coconut tree led to a Eureka moment for an Oxford professor, who passed away last week. Rod Dixon pays tribute to the distinguished human geneticist.
Rarotonga: Home away from home
Saturday 19 December 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Coral Seath was holidaying in Rarotonga when NZ went into lockdown. Instead of rushing home, she and her partner Carlie Paterson chose being ‘happily stranded’ in the Cooks. She left months later, looking forward to seeing her family but sad to say goodbye to Rarotonga – her second home.
Pukapuka – a place filled with hidden treasures
Saturday 19 December 2020 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
During a trip to the Northern Cook Islands, Cook Islands News journalist Emmanuel Samoglou saw places of incredible beauty but facing isolation, a lack of resources, and economic hardship. Yet at the same time, residents enjoy a freedom that comes from choosing to live life on modest terms. In this first part of a two-part series, he writes about the island of Pukapuka.
Rarotonga’s forgotten rugby league pioneer
Saturday 19 December 2020 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
George Mitchell, born and brought up on Rarotonga, played with the New Zealand Maori team that defeated the touring Kangaroos in 1937 and is credited as the first ‘Polynesian’ to be included in a New Zealand Maori representative squad.
A season with a purpose
Friday 18 December 2020 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Regardless of what has occurred over the last nine months or so, it is not all doom and gloom. Many positives have emerged from some of the negatives that have taken place, writes John Mateara (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
‘Our elderly deserve to be honoured and respected’
Sunday 13 December 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The decision to leave her job and look after her grandparents was easy for Verokura Andrew and she quickly realised that to care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours.
The rich history of Mitiaro’s infamous water caves
Sunday 13 December 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Go Local
Mitiaro tour guide Julian Aupuni Junior treasures the island’s legendary history that has been passed down from generation to generation.
The day ‘the Don’ and ‘Phar Lap’ visited Rarotonga
Saturday 12 December 2020 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Zane Grey “the father of the American cowboy novel’ was one of the many celebrities who visited Rarotonga on the Union Steamship Company’s trans-Pacific liner service. Others included the English novelist D.H. Lawrence, the composer Percy Grainger, several All Blacks squads, the Australian cricket legend Don Bradman, the actor Peter Lawford, the 1932 New Zealand Olympic Team, and the great New Zealand-born Australian racehorse Phar Lap.
A pleasant tasty surprise
Thursday 10 December 2020 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Food
Traditional fermented mitiore is by far the easiest to enjoy of our traditional fermented food flavours, especially for the uninitiated palate.
Heaven on earth: Six days of pure bliss in the Pa Enua
Saturday 5 December 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Features, Weekend
For those wanting to satisfy a travel itch during these unprecedented Covid-19 times, it could be a good idea to look a little closer to home. In this second of a two-part series, Katrina Tanirau explores the islands of Mauke and Mangaia.
Former national rugby star Francis Smith's heart is set on giving back to people
Saturday 5 December 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Francis Smith first visited Mitiaro when he was six or seven years old. That was the first time he saw an itiki – the island’s famous fresh water eel. Almost three decades on, he reconnects with the itiki and calls the southern group island his new home.
