Weekend
Standing together to fight the demons
Tuesday 12 November 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
With their wacky activities to raise awareness, a group of young men is getting Cook Islanders talking about mental health. Now, the Ministry of Health is inviting everyone to contribute to a plan to tackle the taboo subject.
Jasmin makes artificial intelligence real
Saturday 9 November 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Jasmin Forbes-James started teaching in labs and tutorials to help pay her way through her undergraduate degree in robotics – then to her surprise, she discovered she enjoyed teaching engineering.
Reflections off the sea
Saturday 2 November 2019 | Published in Weekend
Voyaging isn’t glamorous. It can be wet, it can be arduous, it can be gross. Spending time on the Pacific on the nation’s sailing vaka, Rachel Reeves’ eyes are opened to the stamina and spirit of the people who settled these islands. They voyaged without power, without communications, without hope of rescue.
Safe hands: Flag-bearer for Cook Islands children
Saturday 2 November 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
If your kids need surgery at Rarotonga Hospital this month, the woman caring for them will be a familiar face: former Cook Islands Olympic Games flagbearer Ella Nicholas. Losirene Lacanivalu pays her a visit at the hospital.
Taking Cook Islands culture to the world
Saturday 2 November 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Papatua Papatua is one of Cook Islands best-known faces; certainly one of the country’s best-known voices – but his latest work sharing islands tradition with our people across the ocean was new and special even for him.
Superwoman Rebeka
Wednesday 30 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Rebeka Buchanan has come a long way in her professional career spanning about four decades. Tomorrow, Buchanan will be recognised for her effort when she will be awarded the prestigious “Woman of the Month” for October.
From fur and away
Sunday 27 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
As Te Are Manu veterinary clinic marks two years in Cook Islands, Losirene Lacanivalu discovers what makes it unique.
Mama Maru's voyage to look into the eye of the sea
Sunday 27 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
When marine scientists wanted to understand the decline of the paua, one of the country’s most culturally significant kai moana, then it made sense to go back to basics by diving from the Marumaru Atua. Rachel Reeves joins the journey to Manuae and Takutea.
Vaine Rangatira awards and recognition 2019
Thursday 24 October 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Te Maeva Nui o Aotearoa New Zealand hosted this inaugural awards and recognitions event, to honour Cook Islands women who have been instrumental in the growth and development of Cook Islanders in New Zealand and across the globe.
Dream weaver
Tuesday 22 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
It was 21 years ago Mama Tuki suffered her stroke, but she doesn’t let disability stand in her way.
Beauty pageant contestants put on a spectacular show
Monday 21 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Sand art, pole dancing, singing, a guitar performance, line dancing and the evergreen spirited Cook Islands culture, added flair and diversity to the Miss Cook Islands talent category.
Guiding the way for 91 years
Saturday 19 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
When Ngara Katuke was a girl, there were no mattresses for Girl Guides camps. They slept on mats on the floor and nobody whinged, she laughs.
The naturopath who claims to treat cancer with baking soda
Saturday 19 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Australian naturopath Barbara O’Neill has been banned from pushing her unproven cancer cure in Australia – but here in the Cook Islands, her followers are awaiting her next visit with excitement.
A catwalk of confidence
Wednesday 16 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Sashaying the runway in the Miss Cook Islands (MCIA) Tropicana Parade was a new experience for beauty pageant contestant Tajiya Sahay.
Victoria's not-so-secret garden
Monday 14 October 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Victoria Charles’ first love was dance – but when she began creating new dance costumes from flowers, she discovered a new passion.
Masters of the Globe
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
The Cook Islands team yesterday boarded a massive Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III for the trip to perform at the even bigger Edinburgh Tattoo in Sydney. For a small country, we’re hitting the big-time!
50yos 'get down on it' again
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Their school may have burned down, but the Apii Avatea students of 1982 reunited this week to burn up the dance floor – ‘and we have all turned out to be pretty amazing’.
Daughters take on fashion world with mum
Saturday 12 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
Showing at London Pacific Fashion Week is about far more than celebrating their unique Cook Islands designs, for Tasha and her daughters. It’s about passing on traditional knowledge to a new generation.
Revealed after 250 years: The real meaning of master navigator Tupaia's maps
Friday 11 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
Gerald McCormack from the Natural Heritage Trust explains timely new research that shows how far ahead of his time Tahitian navigator Tupaia was – and why Captain Cook was right to trust him to steer the Endeavour.
Saving Cooks' crowning glory from the Crown of Thorns starfish
Wednesday 9 October 2019 | Published in Weekend
When predator Crown of Thorns starfish were found in the pristine waters of Mitiaro last month, locals and environmentalists dove into action.
