Culture
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.
Te Ipukarea Concert to launch 60th anniversary celebrations
Tuesday 31 December 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National
The Cook Islands’ 60th year of self-governance is set to commence in style with Te Ipukarea Concert, to be held tomorrow night at the National Auditorium.
Children bring joy to Christmas service with handcrafted gifts
Friday 27 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Pictured is the Sacred Heart Parish “nativity scene”, also known as the Crèche - a beloved Christian holiday tradition celebrated for centuries. Each year, families and churches set up nativity scenes to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Promoting local crafts for Christmas gifts
Friday 20 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Culture, National
As the festive holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving and community shines brighter than ever.
Shell-ebrating creativity: Pensioner promotes local culture through handicrafts
Thursday 19 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, Culture, Local, National
A retired Cook Islander is making use of the abundant resources from the sea to create unique and culturally inspired handicrafts.
Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau’s youth programme fosters cultural connection
Wednesday 18 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National
Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau’s ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) youth programme continues its holistic learning activities for youth and families, immersing them in learning about Cook Islands culture, its values and natural environment, to promote cultural connection.
Aitutaki beauty Maoate crowned Maine Kūki ʻAirani Aotearoa 2024
Tuesday 17 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Entertainment, National
In a celebration of beauty, culture and empowering young women, Ngatepaeru Maoate of Araura Enua (Aitutaki) was crowned Maine Kūki ʻAirani Aotearoa 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand.
A festive fusion of cultures at Nukutere College celebration
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Education, National
Nukutere in the Evening, the school’s end of the year Christmas programme, was a celebration filled with performances, joy and community spirit.
Divided legacy: Arioka invested as Pera Mataiapo Tutara amidst controversy
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Patrick Arioka has been invested with the traditional title of Pera Mataiapo Tutara in the second investiture for the same title this year, little over a week after another claimant, Ana Andrew, was invested on November 27, 2024.
Carrying on the tradition: Mitiaro’s new Ariki pledges to strengthen community ties
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
Mii Tungane Kauvai has been invested with the traditional title of Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki of Nukuroa/Mitiaro, continuing the legacy of her late mother.
Parliament forms committee to examine religious restrictions
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, National, Parliament
A special select committee has been formed to examine the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975 and address issues related to the introduction of new religious organisations in the Cook Islands.
Ei katu helps cancer survivor shield loved ones
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Health, National
A New Zealand cancer survivor used the traditional Cook Islands headwear, ei katu, to conceal her illness from her elderly mother for 18 months, highlighting the emotional toll of cancer and the importance of support systems.
Family feud erupts at investiture ceremony
Saturday 30 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
In an emotional display of cultural tensions, families gathered in a noisy fervent and physical ‘pato’i’ (protest) during the ‘akauru’uru’anga’ (traditional investiture ceremony) for the Pera Mataiapo Tutara title of Vaka Puaikura at the Kainganui Marae this week.
Legacy lives on: Tekeu honoured with ancestral Mataiapo title
Friday 29 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Fifty-six years after his late father held the title, Tekeu Maki Tekeu, 68, was yesterday invested with the Ta Mataiapo title of Matavera.
Ink for a cause: Movember Cook Islands tattoo event draws a crowd
Tuesday 26 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Health, National
Movember is more than just a month for growing mustaches. It is a global movement aimed at raising awareness of and funds for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
