Sports
Celebrating 20 years of friendship
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
International paddling coach Vesna Radonich, a former Aotearoa New Zealand and world sprint champion, is back on Rarotonga for her eighth Vaka Eiva, with three crews of ladies she coaches.
Junior paddlers ready to splash
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Paddling, Sports
Junior racing has been cut from this year’s Vaka Eiva, but that will not keep the Cook Islands and New Zealand’s young paddlers out of the water during the event.
Harvie Allison: The man behind the lens of Vaka Eiva
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
The Australia-based official photographer for the international Vaka Eiva competition calls the Cook Islands his “second home”.
Hawaiian paddlers bring Aloha spirit
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
A large contingent of Hawaiian paddlers will be gracing Rarotonga’s shores for Vaka Eiva, including some who participated in the inaugural event in 2004.
Welcome!
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Paddling, Sports
Turou … Oro Mai, Aere Mai ... Kia Orana e te au toa oe vaka no va’o mai te akau ia Rarotonga.
Serena’s on the hunt again
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
As the start of Vaka Eiva approaches, Serena Hunter, the Cook Islands very own world champion paddler, is “stoked” to see the popular event back on water again and eagerly awaits the start of the competition tomorrow.
Back in the paddle: Vaka Eiva returns after four-year pandemic pause
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the highly anticipated Vaka Eiva ‘oe vaka’ outrigger canoeing competition, the country’s biggest ocean sporting event which guarantees a display of world class skill and endurance.
Connolly turns focus to Olympics
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Pacific Games, Sports, Swimming
Swimmer Lanihei Connolly has now set her sights on representing the Cook Islands at the next Olympic Games, reports Losirene Lacanivalu in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Unmatchable feeling, says Kiria-Ratu
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in League, Pacific Games, Sports
Titans star Chantay Kiria-Ratu described standing on the podium with a gold medal as an unmatchable feeling after helping Cook Islands to victory in the Pacific Games women’s Rugby League 9s final.
1000 expected for Te Kara Run
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
In support of Autism Cook Islands’ biggest fundraising event, 1000 participants are expected to join the 2023 Air New Zealand Te Kara Run, kicking off this afternoon.
PM to catch Pacific Games action en route to COP28
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National, Pacific Games
Prime Minister Mark Brown left the country yesterday to lead the Cook Islands delegation to the 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, but not before making a stop in Honiara, Solomon Islands, to catch some Pacific Games action.
Atiu rocket Roberts soars to Pacific Games record and another gold
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Pacific Games, Sports, Swimming
Cook Islands golden swimmer Wesley Roberts has shattered the Pacific Games 100-metre freestyle record for men, which was set in 2015.
Cook Islands Rugby League Nines teams win medals at Pacific Games
Thursday 23 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in League, Pacific Games, Sports
The Cook Islands rugby league 9s teams that were stranded in New Zealand and Fiji on their way to the Solomon Islands due to flight cancellations had their perseverance rewarded when they won medals at the Pacific Games, reports Losirene Lacanivalu in Honiara.
Developing football mentors
Thursday 23 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports
The beautiful island of Atiu was abuzz with excitement as 17 enthusiastic participants gathered for a three-day Junior Coaching Course, delivered by Jess Ibrom, the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) national academy director, last week.
Building the future of national talent
Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports
The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) U13 Boys National Academy has officially commenced its journey this Monday at the CIFA Complex.
Connolly swims for first gold medal
Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Pacific Games, Sports, Swimming
Lanihei Connolly has clinched her first gold medal after swimming to the finish line leaving Fiji with silver and Papua New Guinea with bronze.
Netball Cook Islands focused, ready for Pac Games
Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Netball, Pacific Games, Sports
Netball Cook Islands are focused on overcoming any hurdles that may come their way as they turn their focus on the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Roberts grabs another medal, aims for more
Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Pacific Games, Sports, Swimming
Wesley Roberts, Cook Islands golden swimmer is not just celebrating the number of medals he won so far, but the fact that he will be graduating soon. Losirene Lacanivalu reports from the Pacific Games in Honiara.
Napa finishes fifth in Pacific Games debut
Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Other Sports, Pacific Games, Sports
Cook Islands weightlifter Tehei Napa finished in fifth place in the 55-kilogram division at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Kiria-Ratu stars for Cook Islands
Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in League, Pacific Games, Sports
Titans playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu led Cook Islands to the top of the points table as Fiji’s men’s and women’s teams suffered shock losses on the opening day of the Pacific Games Rugby League 9s in Honiara on Sunday (Cook Islands time).
