Raro on my mind
Break the silence, don’t let periods stop you
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Opinion, Raro on my mind
That’s a wrap with the Maine Mura awareness raising campaign presentations! ‘Maine Mura’ is an awareness raising initiative discussing the importance of women’s health and reusable feminine hygiene products that our young ladies and women here on Rarotonga can use during their menstrual cycle, writes Te Ipukarea Society.
Keep sanitising, wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing
Tuesday 8 March 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Raro on my mind
Well by now you will have heard that we have our first case of Covid-19 in the Pa Enua, in Aitutaki.
A time to rethink our values
Friday 26 November 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Raro on my mind
The pandemic has taught us that money is not the only goal in life; that we can thrive with less; that happiness comes from being together and working together, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue (Catholic Church).
Cultivating a career at home in the islands
Friday 10 January 2014 | Published in Raro on my mind
In pursuit of greener economic pastures, young people are leaving the Cook Islands in droves.
Celebrating women: changing the narrative
Saturday 28 December 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
Cook Islands News published a letter written by the Prime Minister’s chief of staff on December 18, and I’ve been thinking about her words every day since.
Remembering to practise gratitude
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
Yesterday, America celebrated Thanksgiving. The occasion has little bearing on the rest of the world (aside from triggering a spike in commercial activity, which of course has global implications), but the meaning behind it is universally relevant and internationally important. Thanksgiving is a day for reflecting, appreciating, and counting blessings – things that we, all […]
We don't know a whole lot about tomorrow
Friday 15 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
A storm is a scary thing. Perhaps the most indisputable evidence of our fragility as humans, natural disaster can render the most well prepared community utterly defenseless. The people of the Cook Islands can appreciate the power of a storm. Any small, vulnerable island nation knows the poignancy of that feeling – that emotional mlange […]
'If you see something, say something'
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
The news of each fresh fire on Rarotonga is piercing, activating emotions like anger and fear and despair, and raising unanswerable questions: Why would a person intentionally burn down a business or a school? Why hasn’t the perpetrator been caught, arrested, punished? When will the destruction end? It’s true that authorities have yet to determine […]
I never really thought about how much damage one match could do'
Friday 1 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
The boy looks like an average teenager – clean-cut, agreeable countenance, dressed in a ribbed black shirt. He turns to face the camera, and he begins to tell his story. “Hi, my name is Sean,” he says, “and when I was 15 years old I set my high school on fire.” And so begins an […]
Selling the Cooks via word of mouth
Wednesday 2 October 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
It’s a running joke in our family that we moonlight as volunteers for the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Cook Islander in on Cup action
Wednesday 25 September 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
If you were watching televised America’s Cup races at Sails, with a glass of white wine in your hand and the turquoise Rarotonga lagoon in your peripheral vision, you had an undeniably good seat.
The power to create positive change
Wednesday 4 September 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
It’s easy, sometimes, to forget that we – all seven billion of us – are visiting this planet.
Looking after our elderly
Wednesday 28 August 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
The archetypical Polynesian community is a special thing.
More than a white ribbon
Wednesday 21 August 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
Her unseeing eyes were blank as she recounted the litany of abuse.
Language the foundation of culture
Wednesday 14 August 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
While celebrations associated with Te Maeva Nui, Constitution Day, and Cook Islands Language Week might seem like exorbitant expenses in a time of economic downturn, I think many of us can agree they’re justified.
Why should we fund Te Maeva Nui?
Wednesday 31 July 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
Te Maeva Nui is, of course, a breathtaking display of musical and physical talent, but it’s also so much more than that.
I stand with Malala Yousafzai
Wednesday 24 July 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
I’ve added the name of a 16-year-old Pakistani girl to a short list of my personal heroes.
Shattering the silence
Wednesday 17 July 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
In my effort to devote a column to each of the Film Raro productions, I’ve been privileged to watch and write about five outstanding films – films that evoke the sounds and smells of the Cook Islands, highlight the beauty of her people, and peer into sociological holes in her cultural fabric.
Spreading the word about whales
Wednesday 10 July 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
In Rarotonga, Nan Hauser is a household name.
Film highlights depopulation
Wednesday 3 July 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind
What struck me about Dog Save the Queen, before I even had a chance to reflect on the sociological issues it addresses, was the way it artfully incorporated everyday elements of the Cook Islands lifestyle.