Culture
Rarotonga schools prepare for biennial Culture Festival
Wednesday 26 March 2025 | Written by Teitimoana Tairi | Published in Culture, Education, National
Hundreds of students are gearing up for the Cook Islands’ biggest school Culture Festival, which takes place every two years and will be held this year on April 9 and 10, at the National Auditorium.
Traditional leaders seek direct funding for conservation efforts
Tuesday 25 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Environment, Local, National
The House of Ariki welcomed representatives from an American nonprofit environmental organisation to discuss funding challenges and the implementation of conservation projects in the Cook Islands.
New international body to promote Polynesian ancestral sports
Tuesday 25 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
The establishment of the International Federation of Ancestral Sports is anticipated by the end of this month, bringing together five nations from the Polynesian triangle: Rapa Nui, Hawaii, New Zealand, French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.
Four students head to Japan for cultural exchange
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Four Cook Islands students are heading to Japan for a cultural exchange programme, where they will immerse themselves in Japanese culture while sharing their knowledge of Cook Islands culture.
Vaka Paikea crew joins Hōkūleʻa’s 50th anniversary celebration
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation crew joined thousands of people over the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of Hōkūleʻa’s voyaging history at Kualoa Regional Park, Oahu, in Hawaiʻi, where the double-hulled canoe was first launched.
Cook Islands explores untapped potential of creative industries
Monday 3 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Economy, National
The inaugural Cook Islands Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy Forum kicked off with great enthusiasm, bringing together a diverse group of over 60 participants from the creative industry.
Shaping the future of our cultural, creative industry
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aimed for the ‘Development of the Cook Islands Cultural and Creative Industry Strategy’, artists, performers, cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs, community leaders and cultural advocates are invited to a public consultation tomorrow, Thursday, February 27, 9am – 12pm, at Te Are Karioi Nui/National Auditorium.
Umu cooking: Embracing our cultural identity
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Tauranga Vananga secretary Emile Kairua says that in today’s fast-paced world dominated by convenience foods and modern kitchen gadgets there’s something incredibly grounding and culturally enriching about teaching young people the art of cooking using traditional methods like the umu - the underground oven.
Home cooks showcase kuru’s potential at Takurua competition
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
The home cooks in the Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism’s “Takurua – Taste of the Season”, Tiopu Kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday did not disappoint.
Humble kuru dish wins hearts at Taste of the Season Cook Off competition
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Hundreds turned out to taste the delicious tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) hearty meals prepared with love by our very own home cooks in the Takurua – Taste of the Season Cook Off competition on Saturday at the Punanga Nui Market.
Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the upcoming Takurua culinary festival gives an opportunity to share the nation’s food story in a way that “connects us to our past while also showcasing how our cuisine is evolving”.
Culinary celebration of Takurua - Umu Cooking
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
To celebrate Cook Islands’ 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations, Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism will present the culinary celebration of Takurua – Taste of the Season, this week.
Census reveals decline in Cook Islands Māori speakers in New Zealand
Saturday 15 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture, Education, Features, National, Weekend
Despite a growing Cook Islands population in New Zealand, the number of Cook Islands Māori speakers is declining, raising concerns about the language’s future, and prompting calls for greater support for language revitalisation efforts.
Prominent PMN broadcaster promotes Cook Islands culture
Monday 10 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islander Tauraki Rongo a prominent Pacific Media Network broadcaster based in Aotearoa New Zealand is known for his efforts in promoting and preserving the culture, heritage and language of the Cook Islands.
Te Puna Marama collecting knowledge of food preservation in Mauke
Tuesday 14 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National, Outer Islands
Kicking off brand new 2025, Te Puna Marama Voyaging Society is excited to host its first workshop today on Mauke (January 14 – 15, 2025), dedicated to exploring and documenting traditional methods of growing and preserving food.
Aitutaki villages raise over $200,000 at annual Koni Raoni events
Saturday 4 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
The two Aitutaki villages of Vaipeka and Vaipae collected over $200,000 from the Koni Raoni events held on Boxing Day and the New Year’s Day.
Mauke welcomes 2025 with traditional Raoni
Saturday 4 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, Local, National, Outer Islands
The island of Akatokamanava celebrated the last festive event of the year by welcoming the New Year with the traditional Raoni event this week. Nicolea Mateariki reports.
PM urges Cook Islanders to consider passport proposal despite opposition
Friday 3 January 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Culture, Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown is urging Cook Islanders to ‘not be afraid of the discussions that may need to be had’ regarding the proposal for a Cook Islands passport.
Disappointing turnout marks New Year and launch of 60th anniversary celebrations
Friday 3 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Local, National
Despite being a significant event for the Cook Islands, the highly anticipated Te Ipukarea Concert, held on Wednesday, New Year’s Day, failed to attract a large crowd.
‘I know who I am, I have a homeland’: PM unveils 60th anniversary theme
Friday 3 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown officially launched the theme for the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary of self-governance, which will be celebrated with the weeklong Te Maeva Nui festival in July this year.
