Weekend
Whitta’s 100th birthday a Royal affair
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
As a delightful surprise during her 100th birthday party on Wednesday, October 25, Tepaeru Whitta nee Araitia was presented with a special birthday card from both King Charles III and the Governor General of New Zealand, courtesy of the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters.
Budding netballer steps up to the international arena
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Netball, Pacific Games, Sports, Weekend
Mere-Jean Piri is set to make her Cook Islands debut as the youngest player on the national team looks forward to the Nations Cup challenge in Singapore.
Guns and roads in southwest Rarotonga
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Editorials, Environment, Features, Local, National, Opinion, Weekend
The old deserted and controversial Sheraton Hotel in Vaimaanga is getting a new lease of life after Rarotonga businessman Chris Vaile took on the challenge to redevelop the site into a high-end apartment property complete with other amenities.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
‘We felt at home’: The PNG village inspiring Cook Islands league teams
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, League, Sports, Weekend
The light rain that began to fall as Cook Islands players and staff got off their team buses told them they were in the village of their ancestors, but Toru Arakua and Crystal Tamarua didn’t realise how closely connected their families were to Hanuabada, a coastal village in Papua New Guinea. NRL.com senior reporter Brad Walter reports.
🇵🇬 PNG kids going OFF for #Fiji & #cookislands #rugbyleague stars! 🇫🇯🇨🇰 it's a religion 😍❤️ #nrl #pasifika pic.twitter.com/B3Y4tlG7nS
— 𝙋𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙆𝘼 𝙍𝙐𝙂𝘽𝙔 𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙂𝙐𝙀 (@PasifikaRL) October 18, 2023
Early detection is key: Breast cancer survivors celebrated
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known worldwide as Pink October, and the Cook Islands joined the world in raising awareness of the disease with a special event on Thursday.
Prayer for Israel: Pilgrims recount Israel-Hamas war experience
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A special prayer session for the people of Israel will be held at Terevete Park in Avarua tomorrow night. A Cook Islands couple who returned home from Israel after making it out of the war-torn country in the wake of an unprecedented attack by Hamas is calling on people to come together and pray for families that have been affected.
Reviving Rarotonga’s native flora
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga’s native flora has nearly disappeared from the island’s coast, a 150-metre ascent into the mountains required to find thriving examples of its original ecosystem. The only other place is a nursery in Matavera.
A second shot at greatness: Netballer Taripo comes out of retirement
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Netball, Pacific Games, Sports, Weekend
Veteran netballer Curly Taripo is all set to make her return to the national side after being named in the Cook Islands team for the Nations Cup and the Pacific Games later in the year.
The Scottish kumete from Atiu via Tahiti
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
Standing in the middle of the Grand Gallery of the Edinburgh Museum is the largest kumete in the world. But how did it get there, asks Rod Dixon.
Youngest athlete in athletics team eyes top 8 finish at Pacific Games
Thursday 12 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Athletics, Features, Pacific Games, Sports, Weekend
The youngest member in Athletics Cook Islands to the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, is looking forward to the challenge.
Cook Islands stint inspires Australian law graduate
Saturday 30 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
An Australian law graduate whose career trajectory was inspired by the month she spent in the Cook Islands during her study, has returned to the island nation five years later for a three-month stint supporting the Pacific Islands Forum.
A centenarian with a deep faith
Saturday 30 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Emily Brell-Dean-William-Dyer, a remarkable, vibrant, and extraordinary 103-year-old woman, has unwavering faith in God. She is a living testament to the power of spirituality and devotion, and to life well lived.
A legacy of learning and service
Monday 25 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The New Zealand Volunteer Service Abroad Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA) has been operating in the Cook Islands for 60 years, providing support in education, health and well-being, and the environment. Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches, who attended the organisation’s 60th anniversary last week, writes about its objectives and achievements.
Athletes eye personal bests
Sunday 24 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Athletics, Features, Sports, Weekend
Over 200 athletes and officials will represent the Cook Islands at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, this November. Cook Islands News online editor Losirene Lacanivalu interviews Athletics Cook Islands squad members Tatiana Sherwin, Max Teuruaa, Daniel Tolosa, and Piri Nga on their preparations and expectations for the regional games.
Empowering young women
Sunday 24 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The Girl Guides Association Cook Islands proudly represented the country at the 38th World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, along with 152 countries.
Exploring challenges and opportunities for women in business
Sunday 24 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Features, National, Weekend
The first ever Ambassador of Ireland to the Cook Islands, Jane Connolly, has met with the Cook Islands Business and Professional Women (BPW) this week to discuss advancing women in business and professional arena.
Marumaru Atua heads for Palmerston
Wednesday 13 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
Vaka Marumaru Atua has departed for Palmerston Island on a chartered trip to collect the Project Working Group (PWG) who are working with the island community to address the rat problem.
Cooks resort group nabs three trophies at travel awards
Tuesday 12 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Go Local, National, Tourism, Weekend
A Cook Islands resort group has scooped three trophies at the World Travel Awards.
Upholding the provisions of the Rarotonga Treaty
Monday 11 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, National, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Weekend
The Rarotonga Treaty remains a cornerstone of our approach to a nuclear-free zone
