Culture
Visiting academics assist with translation tools aimed at aiding the Cooks economy
Wednesday 1 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National, Technology
A group of academics from the United States are assisting with a Cook Islands initiative aimed at supporting economic recovery here.
Culture confirms Te Maeva Nui 2023 ‘in a reduced form’
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, National
Head of the Ministry of Cultural Development Anthony Turua confirmed to Cook Islands News that “we are still running the normal scaled down 58th Te Maeva Nui Celebration this year, similar to last year, due to the current economic landscape”.
Establishment of National Human Rights Institute gains momentum
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands.
Women carve their place in traditional art
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National
Master carver Ta’unga Mike Tavioni BEM believes in women carvers and that they should be encouraged to practice the art.
World Heritage sites need community support
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
World Heritage Specialist Dr Anita Smith facilitated a scoping workshop on the status of world heritage in the Cook Islands, presenting the processes on submitting “tentative lists”, properties which are considered to be cultural and/or natural heritage of outstanding universal value.
Vaka launch ‘a learning curve’
Sunday 19 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
A couple of the vaka launched last week under the Mana O Te Vaka project started sinking, and master carver Ta’unga Mike Tavioni BEM says he wasn’t surprised at the mishap.
Resort to host annual Te Mire Atu cultural composers competition
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development will be presenting Te Mire Atu cultural composers competition for the first time at The Edgewater Resort and Spa on March 16.
Setting sail for a sustainable future
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thirty years ago, vaka from across the Pacific and the islands of the Cook Islands sailed to Rarotonga for the 1992 Pacific Festival of Arts. Yesterday, Te Mana O Te Vaka canoe building project blessed nine locally carved vaka at Avarua Harbour, embarking on a new journey of cultural revival and sustainable livelihood.
Workshop to ‘scope’ Cook Islands’ World Heritage status
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development and the Government of Australia have engaged a specialist to conduct a scoping on the status of World Heritage in the Cook Islands.
Koutu Nui welcomes reduction in Land Court fees, brochures
Wednesday 15 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Culture, Local, National
Te Koutu Nui, the group comprising Cook Islands sub-chiefs, has welcomed the reduction in Land Court fees announced by the Ministry of Justice earlier this month.
Vaka building project canoes to be launched on Thursday
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Mana o te Vaka boat building and sailing project will launch nine single-hull dugout canoes at Avarua harbour this Thursday at 4pm.
‘Seafood rich’ Takutea harvested and shared amongst Atiu residents
Friday 10 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National, Outer Islands
The people of Atiu shared the bounty of the seas and land following a rare harvest of seafood rich Takutea island late last month.
Vaka Paikea to get whale art as tribute to legendary Maori ancestor and his journey
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
According to Māori legend, Paikea, a great fisherman from the island of Mauke who gets lost at sea, landed on Aotearoa New Zealand on the back of a whale many centuries ago.
New Ombudsman looking to form human rights institute
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute.
Commemorating Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
February 6, marks the day Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi or Te Tiriti, was signed in 1840.
Major support in bid to repeal anti-gay laws
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
A Cook Islands-based organisation that supports LGBTQI rights is welcoming the calls from Pope Francis to decriminalise homosexuality and calling on the Cook Islands Government to follow suit.
Preserving Cook Islands culture
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands performing arts classes are starting next week to give children the opportunity to identify with their heritage in a nurtured, cultural environment.
New Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members receive their warrants
Sunday 5 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members were presented with their new three-year warrants by the Minister of Tauranga Vananga, George (Maggie) Angene on Friday.
Vaka project reaches halfway mark
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The art of building a canoe from tree logs is rarely seen, however, in a bid to revive the traditional practice, last September, Te Mana O Te Vaka boat building and sailing project was launched. Now the head of the project plans a traditional canoeing race and vaka fishing competition to bring his vision to life.
Haircutting ceremony symbolic of transition from Junior to Open Badminton
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Badminton, Culture, National, Sports
Oceania boasts a wide range of vibrant cultures with unique traditions and values. Recently, this was highlighted by Emanuela Mataio (a badminton player from the Cook Islands) who underwent a haircutting ceremony – a rite of passage for young boys which takes place in front of friends and family.
