Culture
Celebration with royal proportions
Friday 26 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Culture
Thirty years ago, Pa Marie Tepaeru Tariki Upokotini Ariki took her place as the paramount chief of Vaka Takitumu – a title she inherited from her mother Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki.
Atupare Marae's moving moment
Friday 19 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
The Atupare marae at the House of Ariki grounds in Kavera has relocated and has a new design.
Archivists: 'It's been a bit of a shock'
Thursday 21 May 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Culture
Cook Islands archivists are stranded in Wellington, preparing to digitise records of disasters like Cyclone Martin – while living through a disaster of a different sort.
Cooks' biggest cultural event cancelled
Thursday 21 May 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
The decision has been made to call off Te Maeva Nui – but in some good news, dance contest Te Mire Ura will go ahead in July.
Police Commissioner 'makes history' as Tetava Ariki
Saturday 2 May 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Police paid tribute to Commissioner Maara Tetava Ariki yesterday, carrying him on a pa’ata to honour his investiture as Ariki.
Having faith at Easter
Thursday 9 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Culture
Tomorrow on Good Friday one tradition will continue amid all the change: local Catholics will walk around Rarotonga with the Cross – just with some adaptations.
A Sunday without church
Monday 30 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Quietness and melancholy drifted around the island yesterday morning – the first Sunday without the usual gathered church services.
The day the music died
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
First, the sound was cut on the national composing contest. Now, the National Dancer of the Year competition is swaying off into the sunset. Te Mire ‘Ura was to have been held in May, but has now been postponed until October.
Regional arts and culture festival postponed
Wednesday 11 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
The 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture has been postponed due to growing global concerns over the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Hawaiʻi was prepared to host the international event for 11 days in June.
Language starts with parents and tamariki
Saturday 22 February 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Culture
In order for a people to grow and thrive, it is important to know their native tongue. The good news is, there are signs of language revitalisation in the family home.
New legal challenge to school's haircut demand
Tuesday 18 February 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture
The Cook Islands Council of Queensland has taken up the legal cudgels for a young Cook Island boy’s cultural rights to keep his hair long until his haircutting ceremony.
Family considers legal action
Friday 14 February 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture
Australian primary school gives Cook Islands boy ultimatum to adhere to strict uniform policy.
'Leave our name alone'
Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Culture
Too much time and money will be wasted if the case for a new Maori name for Cook Islands is pushed.
Ariki to pay her respects to war heroes at Waitangi
Monday 3 February 2020 | Published in Culture
Pa Upokotini Ariki is to attend the Waitangi commemorations in New Zealand this week.
Family gather for investiture at palace in Puaikura
Saturday 11 January 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Takave Manea has been invested with the Tamaiva Rangatira title at the Tinomana Ariki palace grounds, nominated by the Tamaiva kopu tangata.
Reunion a cause for celebration
Monday 23 December 2019 | Published in Culture
If you happened to pass by the Rakahanga hostel on Thursday at 11am, chances are you heard the singing of the Anguna-Poroi family as they reunited under one roof.
Culture staff finally receive their pay after four-year wait
Thursday 19 December 2019 | Written by Moana Makapelu Lee | Published in Culture
Staff of the Ministry of Culture who were owed thousands of dollars in payments since working at the 2015 Te Maeva Nui Festival had their prayers answered yesterday.
In touch with our history of voyaging
Wednesday 18 December 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Justice Simona (left) and Brisbane Simiona with part of the bow of Vaka Takitumu at Monday night’s opening of the Cook Islands National Museum/Runanga Pakau exhibition, “Voyaging Vaka of the Cook Islands.
Voyaging history on show
Wednesday 18 December 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Museum exhibition recalls proud vaka revival. The opening on Monday night of a Cook Islands National Museum exhibition called “Voyaging Vaka of the Cook Islands” was an overwhelming experience for Vaka Marumaru Atua captain Sam Timoko.
Rising up to the music
Tuesday 17 December 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Talented nine-year-old Eitia Taylor hushed the audience with her strong rendition of “Rise Up” received appreciative applause from the audience at the Kinura Tapunui music festival on Sunday.
