Editor's Picks
Defending champions retain Nutters Run titles
21 September 2021
Teaching them young
21 September 2021
Faster internet for Pa Enua ‘in the works’
20 September 2021
Features
Salt in their blood - The story of early Cook Islanders at sea
Cook Islands sailors were highly respected for their seafaring skills. As competitors in Australian surf boat carnivals, they were unbeatable.
Covid lockdown leads to ‘Our little big trip’
A young New Zealand family’s plans for a worldwide trip is grounded before taking off due to Covid-19 lockdowns, bringing them to Rarotonga where they’re enjoying much comfort and stability.
Friends honour a living legend of music
Renowned musician Garth Young was treated to a special lunch by his friends who came together to honour his talent and musical contribution to the Cook Islands. By Alana Musselle.
CHURCHTALK: The ‘Pontius Pilate’ in us
Pontius Pilate who sure had power and authority to fight for the release of an innocent Jesus, instead released him for death because he feared more for his own life and stooped down to Jewish Religious bigotry, injustices, jealousies and lies, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
Artists are ready for Jon Lindsay memorial
The Jon Lindsay Memorial Concert tonight at 6pm will feature 30 musicians inspired by the work of the renowned musician who passed away late last month.
Reliving memories of Mangaia’s boatmen shooting the reef
Taking cargo over the reef in the outer islands involved extraordinary seamanship. Boats and canoes crossed the edge of the reef on the crest of a chosen wave. But when the sea was rolling from the wrong direction, a crossing could be fraught with danger. By Rod Dixon on Mangaia.
A family of kayakers
Cook Islands 2020 Sportswoman of the Year Jane Nicholas was back on Rarotonga this week for a brief break in a busy schedule before the upcoming Olympic Games. Al Williams caught up with Nicholas and her family.
Keanui’s biodiversity bonanza
Residents often talk about Cook Islands biodiversity, but few have discovered as many unrecorded species as six-year-old Keanui Selam. His recent insect-catching expeditions led to the discovery of eight unrecorded species of Heteroptera, a group of insects known as true bugs, or typical bugs. By Gerald McCormack of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Cook’s buses get smart
The wheels keep turning for the Cook family who have been providing public transport on Rarotonga for more than 30 years. Al Williams caught up with them at their Nikao operation.
The challenges of drafting legislation in microstates
A decade ago, the powers that be decided the Cook Islands needed updated companies legislation and a digital registry of companies allowed to do business in the country. It was a ‘smart government’ initiative, where services offered by the state are efficient, cost-effective, and allow people to avoid the agony of long queues. But sometimes the best of intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
CHURCH TALK: A message of encouragement – something’s better than nothing
Sometimes the enormity of the task in front of us is so daunting, so overwhelming, that getting started and staying with it can feel impossible, writes Angaroakau Williams – second counselor in the District Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Will deep sea mining destroy what the ocean already provides humanity?
A precautionary approach of two concurrent nodule mines has the potential to provide a major new revenue stream for the Cook Islands of around US$90 million (NZ$124m) per year, writes Gerald McCormack, Natural Heritage Trust.
Life hasn’t been all rosy but Blake rises above it all
Like the bright colourful trademark ei katu she proudly wears, Rosie Blake – or Aunty Rosie, the former Consul General of the Cook Islands in New Zealand – is cheerful, bubbly and smilingly proud to be a Cook Islander. On a recent visit to Rarotonga she shared her experiences as the Consul General, a post she held from 2013 until October 2020.
Diving back into business
It’s been a tough 12 months for local tour operators who are now welcoming back guests. Al Williams reports.
Living the Good Samaritan’s legacy
Most of the time, we are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget about our duty of care for the less fortunate brethren, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa.
Super Flower Blood Moon tonight
Some people will still remember the solar eclipse in July 2010. For the next one we must wait until the morning of April 8 2024, but it will be only a partial eclipse from all islands of the Cook Islands, when the sun rises. But it’s not only solar eclipses that can beautify the local sky. Another opportunity to see something special is coming tonight. By Petr Horálek.
Pandemic a blessing in disguise
The local wedding industry witnessed the first international wedding in over a year on Thursday afternoon at the Pacific Resort Rarotonga.
Bubble gives Kiwi journalists a week in paradise
Kiwi journalists flooded into Rarotonga this week as the Cook Islands travel bubble with New Zealand inflated. They shared their Cook Islands experiences with senior journalist Al Williams.
Work with nature ‘not against it’
When it comes to permaculture, it’s all about how much you want out of it. If you want a small change you do a little, but if you want a lot to change, you do a lot.
Local musician Jarome Pare gives NZ a taste of home
Covid-19 left Cook Islands musician Jarome Pare stranded in Auckland, but opened opportunities for him to perform all around New Zealand. Caleb Fotheringham reports from Auckland.
Another Group of Scientists Calls for Further Inquiry Into Origins of the Coronavirus
A group of 18 scientists stated in a letter published in the journal Science that there is not enough evidence to decide whether a natural origin or an accidental laboratory leak caused the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local filmmakers ‘Good as Gold’
A film made by three local filmmakers has made the top 15 of 437 films submitted in New Zealand’s favourite film making competition ‘48Hours’.
