Culture
Ngāti Maoate tribe honours Samoan heritage with land gift
Thursday 16 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Ngāti Maoate tribe, who have close blood ties to the Mata’afa line of Samoa, have gifted land to the Samoan community on Rarotonga.
Theft or fraud offences?: Judge to rule on charges in high-profile corruption trial
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
A question of theft and fraud still remains among delays hampering the outcome of a high-profile corruption trial involving a suspended Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior public servants.
New digitising kits to preserve and promote Cook Islands history and culture
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thanks to the introduction of new digitising kits, Cook Islands history and culture can now be preserved and promoted, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to explore and understand them.
Mitiaro’s Te Maeva Nui NZ performing arts team visits homeland for the first time
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
The members of the Mitiaro performing arts team, which performed at Te Maeva Nui New Zealand in Auckland last weekend, are in the country visiting their motherland for the first time.
Cook Islands cultural heritage comes alive at Te Maeva Nui festival in Auckland
Friday 29 September 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Culture, National
The biggest cultural event on the Cook Islands’ calendar, Te Maeva Nui, is being celebrated in Auckland this weekend. Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific reports.
Tou Travel Ariki re-elected president of Te Are Ariki
Friday 29 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Kaumaiti Nui, Tou Travel Ariki, has been re-elected as president of Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki) for another four-year term. This will be his last term in the role.
Te Are Ariki - moving forward
Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki) three-day annual general meeting which also includes the attendance of the Ariki vaatuatua or kauono (speakers), is underway at Parliament House.
Juggling act at Ministry of Cultural Development as the waiting game on suspended boss drags on
Wednesday 6 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, Economy, National
There’s a juggling act going on at the Ministry of Cultural Development as the waiting game continues on what’s ahead for its suspended boss while a medical matter has put the acting boss out of action.
Aitutaki’s Tui Atiu re-create history on a spiritual journey
Tuesday 5 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
This year the three Nga Pu Toru islands of Atiu (19 July), Mitiaro (21 July), Mauke (23 July), and Rarotonga on 25 July, celebrated their respective ‘Te Arikianga o te Evangelia’ Arrival of the Gospel 200 year celebrations.
Cook Islands culture takes centre stage at Gold Coast Bleach Festival
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Culture, Features, National
E pu, e pu ka Tangi. E Ka’ara! E pa’u!
Te Maeva Nui 2023: A celebration of ‘who we are and where we come from’
Wednesday 2 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
A small respectable crowd attended the official opening ceremony of Te Maeva Nui – the 58th Cook Islands Constitution Celebrations – which marks the beginning of week-long events at Te Are Karioi Nui (National Auditorium).
Puaikura pays tribute to Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki and Papeiha
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Culture, Features, National
Vaka Puaikura celebrated 200 years of Christianity Arrival to Arorangi with the unveiling of stone carved monuments and vibrant culture on Tuesday afternoon.
Papeiha descendants proud of Tahitian missionary’s legacy
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, In Depth, National
Tinomana Tokerau Ariki e tana Tama Ū’ā te Kauariki Rangi and Ekalesia Arorangi e te Vaka Puaikura held a thanksgiving service and special monument unveiling at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church yesterday morning to celebrate the bicentennial arrival of Christianity.
Judge to rule on land case after DNA testing
Monday 24 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Culture, National
It was standing room only at the Panui High Court rehearing on Thursday in a matter that involved DNA testing to determine identity, and an application to revoke land succession orders.
Church renovation nearing completion
Tuesday 4 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Avarua (Cook Islands Christian Church) CICC Ziona Tapu is nearing the completion of an extensive renovation project that has breathed new life into the historic church.
Titikaveka’s CICC reopens in sun shining glory
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Titikaveka Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Betela, stands tall once again in its renewed splendour, reopening its doors in the blaze of sun shining glory on Friday.
Titikaveka’s Betela Ready to Reopen
Thursday 29 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Culture, Features, National
The village of Titikaveka is excited as the Ekalesia’s Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Betela reopens its doors tomorrow, following months of detailed renovations.
New Zealand-based Cook Islands group promotes culture in Italy
Monday 26 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
In a captivating display of cultural exchange, the Cook Islands group Te Mana Māori from Aotearoa New Zealand embarked on a journey to Bergamo, Italy to showcase and share their heritage.
Rain brings blessings to the Arorangi CICC dedication
Saturday 24 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The renovated Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ziona Tapu, gleaming with improvements and vibrant flowers, was ready to re-open in a special dedication ceremony on Thursday.
Archaeologists unearth rich heritage
Thursday 22 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Features, Local, National
Archaeologists visiting the Cook Islands have uncovered a formation of rocks at the Arai-Te-Tonga marae at Tupapa.
