Features
'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.
The man in charge of maintaining law and order in Cook Islands
Saturday 5 December 2020 | Written by Derek Fox | Published in Features, Weekend
In 1976, a 15-year-old boy from Mauke was about to sail out into the world. Up until then Mauke was his world; he’d never been anywhere else, and for 15 years had enjoyed an idyllic island boy life.
The reason for the season
Friday 4 December 2020 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
At the end of a year that has meant different things for all of us, I want to bring some encouragement to our readers. By Pastor Paul Kauri of the Arepua Gateway Church.
Recipe: Taste of paradise
Thursday 3 December 2020 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Food
Local meals are incomplete without coconut cream sauces, which add unique flavour to Cook Islands dishes. Here are four of the most favoured. By Mereana Hutchinson.
‘Tourism desperate but it must learn from this crisis’
Tuesday 1 December 2020 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Go Local
News of successful Covid-19 vaccine trials have raised hopes in the Pacific that the hard-hit tourism industry will begin to re-open in 2021, yet questions remain as to how it should be revived in general.
The best things in life are often right under our noses
Saturday 28 November 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Features, Weekend
The internet has brought the world closer together. If you want to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York, Google will show you the way in a matter of seconds. However, nothing compares to going to a place for the very first time and feeling, smelling, hearing and tasting everything around you as Katrina Tanirau found out in Nga Pu Toru (Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke) and Mangaia.
The queen of happiness
Saturday 28 November 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
At 92, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki Mii O’Bryan is the oldest and one of the longest reigning royals in the Cook Islands. Mama Mii hesitantly accepted the title in 1985 but has grown into the role, doing her best for the people. Losirene Lacanivalu met the island’s queen on her first-ever visit to Mitiaro.
