Culture
‘The struggle is real’: Mitiaro prepares for Te Maeva Nui
Wednesday 27 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
For most teams participating in Te Maeva Nui cultural festival, “the struggle is real” to acquire enough dancers to perform in next week’s event, says the leader of Mitiaro’s cultural group, Matavaine (Tuvaine) Numanga.
Singing their hearts out
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Fisherman Kirikavaka Tutavake showed off his musical talent strumming and singing away in the Nga Oire e Rua string band during the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club String Band competition on Saturday.
Strumming the heartstrings
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Island string bands are not about harmonious pitch perfect songs – it’s about singing loud, joyously and expressively straight from the heart, radiating emotions to the audience.
Promoting Cook Islands language and culture
Wednesday 20 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Determined to keep the language and traditions of Reo Maori thriving, Pa Tepaeru Teariki Upokotini Marie Ariki has welcomed the start of Te Vānanga Are Tapere O Takitumu (Takitumu Performing Arts School), which has a first cohort of 10 students.
Akararangiʻanga i te 'Epetoma ō te Rēo Māori: ‘Te Rēo ō te Vairākau’
Thursday 7 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Tumū Tāpura: Te rēo ō te Vairākau, Monite Rā 4 – Varaire Rā 8 no Tiurai 2022.
Honouring our traditional leaders
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aronga Mana, Ekalesia, dignitaries, family and friends attended Te Ra o te Ui Ariki yesterday with their respective Ariki in recognition of the nation’s traditional leaders’ public holiday.
Traditional leaders call for 'respect' on Ui Ariki Day
Thursday 30 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands traditional leaders want people to start respecting and observing the Ui Ariki public holiday instead of playing sports and doing other activities.
New book to assist young Manihikians
Tuesday 14 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Fuinga o Niva (Manihiki) has launched the first Cook Islands Reo Maori book in their language which is translated into English.
Training Te Reo Maori translators
Saturday 11 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Reo Maori Act 2003 states that Government documents must be translated into Cook Islands Maori, but since then, the Reo Maori Act translation hasn’t occurred.
Puna reminds Beijing sidestepping Pacific Islands Forum risked opening new fault-lines
Thursday 2 June 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National
During the Chinese foreign minister’s visit to the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva last week, secretary general Henry Puna seized the chance to remind Beijing that sidestepping his organisation — while racing to build new commercial and security connections throughout the Blue Pacific — risked opening new fault-lines in a region already grappling with mounting challenges.
A sense of pride
Saturday 21 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The best senior individual cultural dancers had over 1000 strong audience members roaring with pride at the Ministry of Culture’s Te Mire Ura dance competition on Thursday night.
Pride and passion
Friday 20 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Mire Ura senior dancers hit the stage at the National Auditorium last night for an evening of competitive cultural dancing.
Champion dancer planning to bring the ‘wow’ factor
Thursday 19 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands cultural dancers will hit the stage tonight for the best, competitive and most entertaining Te Mire Ura Senior dance competition.
Matutu, the new Teava Mataiapo
Thursday 12 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
A pe’e led by Turori (Matutu’s son), chanted by the family tribe and accompanied by drums, led the entourage of warriors, taunga and Mataiapo (a hereditary chiefly title) to the marae during yesterday’s investiture ceremony at the Ko Oro Vena marae in Arai-Te -Tonga.
Biting pig’s ear marks Teava Mataiapo succession
Thursday 12 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teava Mataiapo George Matutu bites the ear of a large cooked pig to mark his succession as the new Teava Mataiapo.
Workshop teaches traditional voyaging navigating skills
Thursday 21 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teaching should and must be taught in Te Reo Maori, says Cook Islands master navigator and captain Peia Patai.
Cook Islands pole club fetches $72,000
Monday 11 April 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Culture, National
An early Cook Islands ironwood pole club (akatara) with an estimated price of £30-40 ($57-$76), sold for a whopping £38,000 ($NZ72,123) when it was auctioned in England early this month.
‘Asset for the future’
Thursday 10 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The documentation of the Cook Islands ‘peu karioi’ or performing arts “will be beneficial for the country and for our generations to come,” says Matina Oti.
Face masks now compulsory at Punanga Nui Market
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Everyone must now wear a mask when visiting the Punanga Nui Market, says manager William Taripo.
Prayers and hope for loved ones in Tonga
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders who are in the dark about their families and friends in the tsunami-hit Tonga are praying and hoping they are safe.
