Features
A catwalk of confidence
Wednesday 16 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Sashaying the runway in the Miss Cook Islands (MCIA) Tropicana Parade was a new experience for beauty pageant contestant Tajiya Sahay.
Victoria's not-so-secret garden
Monday 14 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Victoria Charles’ first love was dance – but when she began creating new dance costumes from flowers, she discovered a new passion.
Masters of the Globe
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
The Cook Islands team yesterday boarded a massive Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III for the trip to perform at the even bigger Edinburgh Tattoo in Sydney. For a small country, we’re hitting the big-time!
50yos 'get down on it' again
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Their school may have burned down, but the Apii Avatea students of 1982 reunited this week to burn up the dance floor – ‘and we have all turned out to be pretty amazing’.
Daughters take on fashion world with mum
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
Showing at London Pacific Fashion Week is about far more than celebrating their unique Cook Islands designs, for Tasha and her daughters. It’s about passing on traditional knowledge to a new generation.
Pastor Paul Kauri: Who am I?
Friday 11 October 2019 | Published in Church Talk
It’s one of humanity’s most oft-asked questions. But only Jesus had the answer, writes Paul Kauri, lead pastor at The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church.
Revealed after 250 years: The real meaning of master navigator Tupaia's maps
Friday 11 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
Gerald McCormack from the Natural Heritage Trust explains timely new research that shows how far ahead of his time Tahitian navigator Tupaia was – and why Captain Cook was right to trust him to steer the Endeavour.
From courtroom to Hula Bar stage
Friday 11 October 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Entertainment
Rapper Tom Francis’ musical career looked like it was over when he was convicted of a ‘king hit’ on an innocent man sitting in his parked car. Now, he is rebuilding his life in Cook Islands. Jonathan Milne and Astrid Austin report.
The science of beauty
Thursday 10 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
Beauty pageants aren’t for everyone, says the winner of Miss Cook Islands New Zealand. But for all the stress, the personal rewards are enormous. Article by Melina Etches and photos by Gerardus Verspeek.
Saving Cooks' crowning glory from the Crown of Thorns starfish
Wednesday 9 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
When predator Crown of Thorns starfish were found in the pristine waters of Mitiaro last month, locals and environmentalists dove into action.
Miss Cooks NZ 'stunning' in her triumph
Tuesday 8 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
“I’m honoured and proud,” says Terito Story, after being crowned Miss Cook Islands New Zealand.
Life on the ocean wave
Tuesday 8 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
John Teaurima has been at sea even longer than his police patrol boat, Te Kukupa – but even he needs seasickness pills in the bigger storms. Melina Etches meets him.
'It means reflection'
Saturday 5 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment
Art lovers are promised a whole different experience of women’s art at an exhibition opening in Rarotonga.
Neither persecution nor the sword separates us from the love of Christ
Friday 4 October 2019 | Published in Church Talk
Our natural enemies in an imperfect world may be poverty, hunger, natural disasters and persecutors – but they are nothing in the face of love, says Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Cook Islands Christian church in Avarua.
Maiden inspires women in maritime
Wednesday 2 October 2019 | Published in Entertainment
Tracy Edwards became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World yacht race.
From hammer-throw, to throwing the dice
Monday 30 September 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Siniva Marsters’ dad told her to never be shy – and that confidence has helped her to new distances.
Shifting the paradigm
Saturday 28 September 2019 | Published in Weekend
Rachel Reeves sits down with PhD candidates at USP Cook Islands, which offers scholarships for doctoral degrees and brings Cook Islands researchers together.
Miss Cook Islands: 'Don't be pretentious'
Saturday 28 September 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
As the seven contestants prepare for next month’s Miss Cook Islands pageant, the first woman to wear the tiara has some advice for this year’s contestants: be natural. We meet Cook Islands' 1960 beauty queen.
Freddie Tira comes home
Saturday 28 September 2019 | Published in Entertainment
The people of Rarotonga thought one of the country’s most celebrated singers had died 50 years ago – so they were surprised and delighted to find him singing in Hong Kong’s top hotel! Now, Freddie Tira really has passed. Professor Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen remembers his friend.
10 guitars, 3 ukuleles
Saturday 28 September 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
Koka Lagoon Boys Papa Jack, Aberahama Tauta and Junior Koronui will compete tonight in the first LBV string band competition under the stars.
