Weekend
First wedding of the year
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga businessman Stephen Lyon and his long-time partner Lovelyn Gatchalian exchanged their vows in front of family and close friends this week. The wedding held at Ra Mura in Betela, Arorangi, was a special one – it was the first wedding of the year.
A ‘Whopper’ of an opportunity
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
In the midst of a pandemic, local tour guides and creatives found themselves working together to help create an ad campaign for one of Oceania’s most recognisable brands.
Thriving in a man’s world
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Frances Taoro returned to her birthplace Mauke in October 2003 for a short visit but an experience there led her to change her mind. She stayed back and started a business operating from a small room on the verandah of their family home. Today, her one stop shop Kato’s General Store continues to thrive.
‘Be proud of who you are’
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Dr Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen is passionate about Cook Islands culture and is now on a mission to record all he has experienced and learned in a book to preserve the country’s culture for future generations.
Embarking on a second homecoming
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Features, Weekend
At the beginning of 2019, Vainepoto Tangaroa traded her mum’s slice of paradise, Gisborne and Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, for that of her late father’s, the beautiful Cook Islands. Tangaroa tells associate editor Katrina Tanirau why it’s a decision she’s glad she made.
Teaching the teachers of te reo Maori
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
Deploying an effective academic programme is challenging in the best of times, but it took a pandemic to bring together an all-star roster of Cook Islands academics that are helping a group of local University students to revitilise te reo o te Kuki Airani.
Rangokere – a time to share, be grateful and appreciate Mauke
Saturday 9 January 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The Christmas and New Year Day festive season in Mauke is about “rangokere” – the gifting of baskets of food, the picnics, the joyful songs and dances and the hosting of specially prepared feasts in homes – teretere or roni.
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
