Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
Rick Welland painted the image on the $3 bill – but recently, his widow gave away their last one.
Friday 17 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Cook Islands Tourism has put a hold on international media promotion valued at $8.5m – but hopes to cash in when the country opens its door to tourists again.
Thursday 16 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
The Government of Germany plans to fly up to 40 stranded European tourists home from Cook Islands on an Air New Zealand charter flight this weekend.
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Weekend
Like a seed, a country’s economy needs stimulation to grow. There are no quick fixes for the Covid-19 crisis, but ideas for rebuilding are starting to sprout.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Karin Skaal and her boyfriend thought they would just be transiting through Raro.
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.
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.
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.