The congregation of St Mary’s Catholic Church at Arorangi were treated to a colourful spectacle after mass on Sunday when there was a short combined parade for St Joseph’s Scout Troop and the St Joseph’s Girl Guides.

The Cook Islands Party (CIP) government seemed to trump the Democratic Party last Thursday afternoon after winning the support of the two independent and One Cook Islands party seat holders who were sworn in as Cabinet ministers.

An unidentified tourist carrying a young child in front of him on his rented scooter learned a quick lesson about Cook Islands road rules when he was stopped by a police officer near the St Joseph’s Road intersection yesterday morning.

Held under grey skies with persistent light rain, Ui Ariki and Aronga Mana Day in Puaikura this year was a fairly muted affair compared with previous years, with no large-scale entertainment and fewer participants.

It will cost nearly $1.8 million to transport outer islanders participating in Te Maeva Nui celebrations to Rarotonga and to return them to their home islands at the end of the monster celebration.

Democratic Party parliamentary leader William ‘Smiley’ Heather has a message for Demo supporters.

The launch of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s new Takurua O Avaiki Raro, Avaiki Vaenga, Manavanui programme, designed to promote local cuisine, ended in spectacular style with a special dinner for invited guests at Te Vara Nui Village on Monday night.

Work on the new boat ramp at Avarua Harbour adjacent to Trader Jacks restaurant and bar began last week.

A busy day of activities around the country to celebrate this year’s Ui Ariki and Aronga Mana Day, on Friday.

Disgraced detective and former Rarotonga resident Mark Franklin is in the news again, this time making an appearance in a “true crime” podcast on the New Zealand Stuff website.