Weekend
Aboard the ghost ship, from Rarotonga into the unknown
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
The passengers and crew of the MSC Magnifica have fond memories of Rarotonga. They were Cook Islands’ last cruise guests before the travel ban – and five weeks later, the sands of Muri beach are a distant memory of one of the last times they were allowed to step ashore.
Stranded in paradise but longing to go home
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
While sipping on a cup of green tea every morning a Swiss couple keeps a strong smile as they enjoy every moment of being in Rarotonga.
Songs for the return home
Thursday 9 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
These are wistful times for Cook Islands families who are dispersed around the world.
This helmet saved a boy's life last month
Saturday 4 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
The boy was riding home from work last month, late at night. He hadn’t been drinking. He wasn’t speeding. He came round the corner in Rutaki and – boom – he hit a branch across the road.
Leaders stand up when need is the greatest
Saturday 4 April 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
The remote, crime-ridden community of Aurukun is far, far up in Australia’s northernmost corner.
Keeping the lines of communication open
Monday 30 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Marie Francis from Solutions Cook Islands Limited advises people not to stress – even in the coronavirus crisis.
100 years of colour, music and love
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Emily Russell quietly celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, just down the road from where she was born.
Keeping sane in a bubble
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Lisa Sadaraka, her fiancé Adrian Moody and four teenagers between them are in lock down in Auckland. “It’s going to be a testing time for us all, so we need to keep kindness and compassion at the forefront of our minds,” said Sadaraka.
Social distancing – from the fridge
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
“The first day of lockdown was a surreal experience,” says Anne Nicholas-Pierre. Anne lives in Auckland with her husband Narii and their teenage daughter MahiNa.
Aussie emissary: 'We want to hear the singing start again'
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
It’s been a bittersweet arrival for the first resident Australian High Commissioner to Cook Islands and his partner.
Praying for a new miracle for Dominic
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Weekend
Life has dealt another blow to three-year-old Dominic Joseph-Kura and his family, as they prepare for another liver transplant.
Gone – but she'll be back: 'This island and its people are special'
Monday 23 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
As the last tourists and volunteers fly out of Rarotonga, one departing Global Volunteer tells how paradise is watching the sunset and listening to the waves. Paradise is Cook Islands.
Couple: 'We don't know what to do'
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Karin Skaal and her boyfriend thought they would just be transiting through Raro.
I'm a little bit freaked out'
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
A teenage au pair is trapped in Rarotonga, and fears she will never be able to return to New Zealand to say goodbye to the 2-year-old girl she’s been looking after.
Stranded in paradise - a family's tale
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Weekend
Emmanuel Samoglou and his family came here for a few weeks’ holiday. Now they don’t know when they’ll ever be able to leave – so they’re making the most of it.
Villages ready to look after their own
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
It’s 6pm, still light but the day is drawing to a close. Gibeona Sunday School Hall in Matavera is a big space, but already it’s crowded with more than 80 people. Most are familiar faces from Matavera, but there are others from further afield in Ngatangiia and Titikaveka.
Tuna never tasted so good
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Think you had a tough day at the office? Cole Harrison had to work even harder for his dinner.
'My stretch marks make me who I am'
Saturday 14 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
They were dismissed by some as just posing half-naked. But these 30 women who came together this week, irrespective of their age or size or shape, discovered a far richer truth: the importance of being confident in their own skin.
Weaving a mother and daughter tradition
Saturday 14 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
A mother and daughter discovered something they love doing together – and now they’ve found they can make a business out of it.
The unseen harm of bullying
Saturday 14 March 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Weekend
Teachers and parents play a big part in addressing bullying – but young people who have experienced it firsthand are stepping up to teach children to be kind to each other.
