Local
Small in stature, big in bravery
Friday 21 April 2017 | Published in Local
This story continues Flo Syme Buchanan’s series on Cook Islands soldiers who served in World War One. The stories are appearing in the lead-up to Anzac Day on Tuesday next week. He was a small man, standing just 162.5 cm (five feet, four inches) in his army socks. Mare Amoa didn’t weigh much either at 58kg or just over nine stone. But this slight man believed he could serve king and country well when he enlisted on March 12, 1918 at the age of 19. And he did, joining the 3rd Rarotongan Contingent. Private Mare Amoa from Muri, Ngatangiia was a planter, a single man at the time who gave his father Amoa as his next of kin. Mare began his duties on February 16, 1918. He trained at Narrow Neck camp, and according to his records, spent 168 days in New Zealand. He embarked from Wellington on June 13, 1918, sailing on the Manuka for Suez, Egypt. The ship arrived in Egypt on August 3, 1918. Records show Private Amoa and his regiment marched from the Suez to Ismailia. He is recorded as having served 230 days overseas. The young man from Muri was discharged from duty on March 20, 1919 and was awarded the British War Medal. Amoa is survived by his two children, Tamati Amoa (Rarotonga) and Tutu Seil (New Zealand). Tamati was 17 years old when his father died on February 19, 1945. The descendants say their father first attempted to enlist when he was just 17 and had tried to pass himself as being older. But being such a “tiny one” it was easy for recruiting officers to see Mare Amoa, while enthusiastic about serving, was not being completely honest. He was told to go home and come back when he became of age. Tamati has talked about his father being able to speak English well for a Cook Islander of the time. The siblings say when their father was serving overseas, he spent a lot of time in the emergency bases and hospitals interpreting for sick Cook Islanders. “It was really nice to know our father was helping our sick soldiers by being their interpreter,” says Tutu Seil. Mare Amoa married Tereapii Rau (Ukinga) and they had eight children. “Our father began to lose his sight, we think it was from cataracts, so my brother (Tamati), spent a lot of time by his side.” “My brother and father would travel on his friend Turepu’s horse and cart to the Avarua court house so my father could attend land court sittings. Our father was very good at reciting genealogies. My brother recalls when he and our father would go to land court sittings, our father was a quiet man, but was respected because he could speak English.” “My brother remembers when our father went completely blind and would still want to be at land meetings that were often held in the evenings as far away as Vaimaanga. They would walk all the way there, my brother leading my father. The land meetings would go to all hours of the night and they would then walk home in pitch darkness, my brother also not being able to see …it was a bit like the blind leading the blind.” “What we do know is that when our father died and left our mother with the children, she never collected our father’s pension as a war widow.” Mare Amoa has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren who live in countries all over the world. - FSB
Grave restorers in need of some help
Friday 21 April 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
With Anzac Day just next week, volunteers are being sought to help the stalwarts of the Nikao Cemetery Restoration Project finish cleaning up the area surrounding the graves of World War One soldiers.
Rescued teens count blessings
Friday 21 April 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Two teenage visitors from New Zealand are counting their blessings after one of them was sucked out of the lagoon in rough seas on Easter Sunday.
Visiting veterans boost dawn parade
Friday 21 April 2017 | Published in Local
This year’s Anzac Day dawn parade will be one of the biggest seen on Rarotonga in recent years.
WW1 soldier a natural-born leader
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
In the lead up to ANZAC Day on April 25, CI News focuses on some of the brave Cook Islanders who served in World War One. The information was supplied by freelance reporter Flo Syme Buchanan who produced the storyboards now on show at the National Museum.
Induction programme goes well up north
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas has spent two weeks delivering the public service induction programme to over 200 public servants in Pukapuka, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Mangarongaro.
Island sure has changed in 45 years
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
New Zealand couple returned to Rarotonga for the first time in nearly 45 years earlier this month, and was surprised by how greatly the Cook Islands had changed.
Family fun at Friday night market
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
Around 25 vendors are expected to take part in the Business Trade and Investment Board Tropical Easter night market at the Punanga Nui markets on Friday (April 21) from 5pm-9pm.
US ship helps to map our deep ocean
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Over the next two months an American vessel is to collect data and map the deep ocean to help the Cook Islands explore areas within the Marae Moana Marine Park.
Busy Easter weekend for Rarotonga police
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
Police were kept busy over the holiday weekend attending to six motor accidents, three burglaries, six domestic violence incidents, seven involving excessive noise, and several other matters.
Lagoon concerns aired
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Local
A summary of the outcomes from a workshop held by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s steering group governing the Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai project has revealed a high level of community concern and frustration at the lack of action taken to manage Rarotonga’s lagoon pollution issues.
New digger for ARAP growers
Wednesday 19 April 2017 | Published in Local
The ARAP Growers Association has received a major boost in its drive to help maintain their plantations after securing grant support from the Indian government.
Kiwi family helps Raro dogs
Wednesday 19 April 2017 | Published in Local
A New Zealand family has donated hundreds of worming tablets and dog collars to the Esther Honey Clinic.
Dance festivals spring to life in US
Wednesday 19 April 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
When springtime rolls around, many in the United States look forward to seeing the snow melt, flowers popping up and trees blooming.
Praise for CI soldiers in WWI
Tuesday 18 April 2017 | Published in Local
“Possibly of all the loyal responses to the call of Empire from every habitable portion of the globe, the most unique came from Britain’s most distant possessions in the Pacific. From islands, which, within the memory of man, were savage and barbaric, came volunteers, who proved worthy to serve with other forces of the British Empire.
Part of the greatest story ever told
Saturday 15 April 2017 | Published in Local
This weekend, Easter will be celebrated and recognised by billions all around the world.
A look at the world shows how fortunate we are
Saturday 15 April 2017 | Published in Local
“If Jesus is risen, then - and only then - has something truly new happened, something that changes the state of humanity and the world.
Special event celebrates the resurrection
Saturday 15 April 2017 | Published in Local
Easter is a special event which celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
No need to worry about Aussie citizenship
Saturday 15 April 2017 | Published in Local
Cook Islanders who have been living in Australia for more than 17 years do not have to worry that their eligibility for citizenship there is being phased out.
Revamped store open for business
Saturday 15 April 2017 | Published in Local
CITC’s revamped Kavera Central Store was officially opened on Monday this week. A large number of invited guests attended the event, including the landowners, Tinomana Ariki Tokerau and other traditional leaders. CITC representatives including director Trevor Clarke and general manager Gaye Whitta.
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