Features
A whale of a tale
Saturday 3 August 2019 | Published in Weekend
Amid concerns about tourist boats getting too close and scaring whales, tough questions are being asked about how the magnificent marine mammals are to be protected for the future.
Two wars, two films, one fight
Saturday 3 August 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Entertainment
When director Taika Waititi wanted to harden up six young actors to play members of the 28th Maori Battalion, he enlisted them in basic training at New Zealand’s Trentham Army Camp.
'A time to dance'
Friday 2 August 2019 | Published in Church Talk
Te Maeva Nui, what a wonderful time of the year this is, when we celebrate our self-governance in a week-long festival of song and dance, in vibrant colour, a cultural extravaganza.
Organic growers chlorine fear: 'It will put me out of business'
Thursday 1 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
Wayne Mitchell meanders around his half acre organic farm in Titikaveka with a grin on his face, proudly showing off his produce.
What's in your water?
Saturday 27 July 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
When I get sick, I go to the doctors, not the water, and I put my faith in God.”
Around the world in 80 years
Saturday 27 July 2019 | Published in Weekend
Aged nearly 80, Duc Nguyen has now visited 198 countries – more than are even recognised by the United Nations. Now he has ticked off the last nation on his list and returns home to his wife in Canada.
Wynne: Protest bring people together for dialogue Dialogue brings change for our grandkids
Saturday 27 July 2019 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Weekend
As dawn broke at Mauna Kea to the north, and as dawn broke at Ihumatao to the south, sons and daughters of the moana gathered to fight for protection for their sacred lands.
We can be champions together
Friday 26 July 2019 | Published in Church Talk
During the past two weeks, we have been treated to some spectacular and nail-biting international sporting events: the ICC World Cup final between England and New Zealand, the Pacific Games Netball gold medal final between the Cook Islands and Tonga, and most recently, the Netball World Cup gold medal final between New Zealand and Australia.
'I will always stand up for what I think is right'
Friday 26 July 2019 | Published in Weekend
Cook Islands land campaigners helping occupy traditional New Zealand Maori land say even the police don’t agree with the proposed private housing development there.
A hikoi of heritage
Tuesday 23 July 2019 | Published in Weekend
Their meeting house is named Te Hono ki Rarotonga, and this country’s connections to the children of New Zealand’s Tokomaru Bay run deep.
Kids and the Lion King
Saturday 20 July 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
Never mind what the grown-up critics have to say, the real judges of the new Lion King will be the kids, these school holidays.
Cooks surgeon opens new front on the battle against fat
Saturday 20 July 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Cook Islander John Dunn has been returning home for the past 15 years to help Rarotonga Hospital with much-needed surgery.
Pastor Tevai Matapo: Take the initiative, seize the moment
Friday 19 July 2019 | Published in Church Talk
Even those who don’t go to church, who don’t have social status, who are unemployable, can be blessed if only they have faith, says Assemblies of God Pastor Tevai Matapo.
The world-famous Cook Islands scooter licence test
Saturday 13 July 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Jonathan Milne was happy to blithely disregard the advice of those who told him to take care with scooters in the Cooks – until this week, his front wheel started sliding out on the gravel.
Artwork hewn from the earth of the island
Wednesday 10 July 2019 | Written by Anneka Brown | Published in Art
It’s all about the form, flow and following the lines, says sculptor Brent Holly.
Fruits of Raro: Expect the unexpected from Teremoana Napa
Saturday 6 July 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
At the back of Punanga Nui market is a partially-roofed wooden stall containing fruits you’ve never heard of, where an extraordinary woman creates a heady elixir for Jonathan Milne and his three boys.
Kingston – it's about the energy
Wednesday 3 July 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
Sean Kingston’s first impression of Rarotonga is that it feels ‘amazing’.
Pop star lives up to his rap
Tuesday 2 July 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment
Jamaican-American teen pop icon Sean Kingston sings his hit, ‘We like to sleep all day and party all night! This is how we like to live our life!’
Getting Rusty
Saturday 29 June 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
When Jonathan Milne and his family decided to move to Rarotonga, there was never any question their 11-year-old terrier Rusty would come with them. After all, their three boys had grown up with him. But then, they ran into problems.
Film festival celebrates women's strength
Saturday 29 June 2019 | Published in Entertainment
Acclaimed Cook Islands film director Miria George portrays a young woman making a stand against over-fishing on Rarotonga.
