Weekend
Smiling in the face of adversity
Tuesday 19 April 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islanders, like others in many South Pacific nations are known for their warm-hearted greetings. Cheek-to-cheek kisses and loving embraces are followed by the laying of sweet-smelling Tiare Maori Ei on head or neck.
New tug boat costs over $1m
Saturday 16 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The new tug marks another milestone in the continued infrastructural development of the Port of Avatiu, which handles about 90 per cent of the food and materials imported into the Cook Islands and 100 per cent of the fuel, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Restoring pa’ua populations in Aitutaki
Saturday 16 April 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
A significant number of pa’ua, or giant clams, bred through a Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) programme have recently been outplanted in Aitutaki in an effort to revive local populations of these vital marine animals.
Murals transform Rarotonga into open-space gallery
Saturday 9 April 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Weekend
Once upon a time, authorities in Rarotonga harassed graffiti artists and muralists regarding them as vandals. But now, the popular tourist destination celebrates and even funds their art, which can be found everywhere and supersized.
The fight against NCDs
Saturday 9 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
The Cook Islands is facing another health crisis on top of the Covid-19 pandemic, with nearly half of its adult population affected by some form of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD).
Taking forward steps in spite of struggles
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga tourism operators Kave and Jules Tamaariki have put the pandemic behind them and are taking forward steps.
White sandy beaches lure Kiwi academic out of retirement
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Professor Heather Worth thought she had retired when she settled in Ophir – a small settlement in Central Otago, New Zealand – until an opportunity came her way to swap the icy cold temperatures for the tropical shores of Rarotonga.
Tāote – Cook Islands’ medical pioneers
Monday 28 March 2022 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
With very few resources and little official encouragement, the Cook Islands first local doctors tackled epidemics and eliminated diseases, laying the foundations for the modern Cook Islands medical service.
Breaking down mental health barriers
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Weekend
A renowned Cook Islands researcher and psychologist has returned home to better understand and study the impacts of mental health issues in the pacific and the country.
Following in the footsteps of her grandmother
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother, Eileen Story has launched her political career and will stand in the 2022 general elections as a candidate on the island of Mauke.
Rising cost of living in the Cook Islands
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
The cost of living in the Cook Islands is climbing as the world feels the credit crunch while accommodation and travel expenses here return to pre Covid-19 levels.
Managing Covid-19 outbreak
Saturday 19 March 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
Covid-19 is predicted to affect about half the population of Rarotonga over the next few weeks.
Redefining showbiz
Saturday 19 March 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Weekend
For the overseas television series The Panthers, creators TVNZ wanted a head of department with Polynesian descent who could help them craft certain styles and looks, and New Zealand-based make-up artist Kelly Mitchell certainly embodies this in more ways than one.
Rarotonga’s draconian old laws
Saturday 19 March 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Weekend
Hefty fines for making bush beer, forbidden tattoos and hard labour for people going about at night without a ‘proper cause’ were some of the old laws of Rarotonga’s past.
Cooks ‘greatest shamrock’
Saturday 19 March 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Weekend
Eighty-eight-year-old Irishman Paddy Lynch has lived a full and happy life.
Cooks in tourism battle
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands’ exclusive access to New Zealand’s tourism market is over and the country has to once again compete with the biggest rival in the Pacific.
Gender equality for sustainable tomorrow
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, five inspiring women shared their thought and passion on what drives them towards the theme of this year’s event “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
A prayer for Ukraine
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Weekend
Far from the ruins of the war, people in Rarotonga rally together to support Ukraine following the invasion from Russian forces.
The ongoing costs of Covid-19 pandemic
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands continues counting the cost of Covid-19 with increasing numbers entering quarantine.
Passion for language and people
Friday 25 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands broadcaster Tauraki Rongo is determined, and wants to ensure that young Cook Islanders know their identity and culture, take pride in their heritage, and how they connect to the land.
