More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Police shortage leads to drop in checkpoints
9 April 2024
Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
16 March 2024
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
22 February 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Aitutaki’s heritage preserved in new anthology
4 January 2024
Avatiu Eels retain Nines title
8 January 2024
Beddoes crowned top athlete
8 January 2024
NRL player Dargan dies in Aitutaki motorcycle crash
24 December 2023
‘Please heed the signs’: resident makes plea to tourists
20 December 2023
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
21 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Features
Cook Island coastwatchers to be honoured at ANZAC day and beyond
The Cook Island community is preparing to commemorate the service of soldiers and local heroes this Anzac Day in New Zealand.
Out and proud: Miss Thunderhips shines in celebration of diversity
In a celebration of Anuanua Week’s talent, diversity, and inclusivity, the electrifying Miss Thunderhips competition took centre stage on Friday night featuring LGBTQ+ contestants, who showcased their talents captivating the enthusiastic full-house audience.
Fused passions in 'Island Fever'
It’s safe to say Sylvia Marsters has island fever – but not the kind that makes you restless to get off The Rock. She’s got a fever of passion – for the Cook Islands, her people and her plants – and it’s earned her the title of the Beachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery’s artist in residence. […]
Old tribal structure
Before the arrival of Christianity – people on Rarotonga lived in tribes known as vaka. Each vaka had its own ariki – on Rarotonga they are Makea Nui, Makea Karika and Makea Vakatini for the vaka Te Au O Tonga, Pa and Kainuku for the Takitumu district and Tinomana for the district of Arorangi. The […]
Ui Ariki shaping a nation
Chief reporter Matariki Wilson backgrounds Ui Ariki Day, the new public holiday we celebrated yesterday. In these stories she covers the history and role of Ariki in customary leadership, and their role in modern Cook Islands society. On the next two pages she provides photographic coverage of yesterday’s ceremonial celebration. In commemoration of Ra o […]
Party all the time
You will have seen the work of Party Hire around the island, be it at any of the Punanga Nui night markets or the prime minister’s functions. The business caters for all party needs for a variety of events – from family reunions, weddings and funerals to corporate and government functions. White is the colour […]
Hamiltonians here with guitar and jazz bands
Hamilton Boys High School musicians wowed Tereora College students and staff yesterday when they took to the Princess Anne Hall to perform for the local school. The visiting New Zealand school group is on a musical tour of the islands and on their very first morning on Rarotonga – they made two special performances at […]
Student teachers enjoying island experience
Continuing an 18 year tradition, student teachers from Monash University are visiting the Cook Islands for the next three weeks. Monash University has 23 students currently placed across the primary and secondary schools in Rarotonga, with some students due to visit Aitutaki and Mangaia also. Deanne Pattieson and Ryan Lucas will be spending the next […]
Gold Coast office pushes Cooks
The Tourism Cook Islands office on the Gold Coast hopes to enlist the help of Cook Islands communities across the country to spread the word of their beautiful homeland to the greater Australian population. Tourism Cook Islands director of sales and marketing Karla Eggelton visited the new Cook Islands Tourism representative office on the Gold […]
Second licence up for grabs
Government has a two-licence policy in terms of international shipping – not one, which would engender a shipping monopoly, and not three, for fear that a third line would be neither financially viable nor necessary. The logic is that the Cook Islands just do not import or export enough cargo volumes to warrant a third […]
Versatile Tina Cross ready to rock
Prominent pop star Tina Cross is on The Rock and ready to rock. The diminutive Kiwi diva has been this week flitting between acoustic rehearsals, media briefings, photo shoots and friends’ homes on her maiden visit to Rarotonga. Tina says her long-time friend and mentor Penny Akapi-Maich – who started making Tina’s show costumes when […]
Emergent artist exhibition on show
Emerging Cook Islands artists have recently had the opportunity to create and exhibit new pieces of work. The National Museum is currently showing the Cook Islands Emerging Artists Exhibition, which is the outcome of a series of workshops that were run by well-known artist Ian George, arts advisor for the Ministry of Education. The workshops […]
Tina Cross is coming to Raro
New Zealand pop diva and musical theatre star Tina Cross is coming to the Cook Islands for the first time. She will be performing at the Crown Beach Resort & Spa on June 29 and 30 and on July 1. Her career spans more than 30 years, but Tina is still very much at the […]
Octopoems rule at Papaaroa
A witch is black She is the winter time in a bright sunny room She is a cold blistering day A black dress with a pointy hat A long flying broom She is bewitch A delicious, roasted pumpkin By Lovy Parker A fairy is bright and colourful She is the spring time on top of […]
Cook-off in Turangi today
It is all hands on deck at the Hospitality Tourism Training Centre (HTTC) where over 35 chefs, baristas and bartenders will put their skills to the test in the annual Cook Islands Salon Culinaire. The competition, now into its second year, sees hospitality and tourism industry members pitted against each other to test their skills […]
Aitutaki film makes third festival
A short film shot in Aitutaki has made it into its third film festival this year. Written and directed by Nikki Si’ulepa, daughter of Rarotonga’s own Ronnie Si’uelpa, the film was shot on location in Aitutaki last year and produced this year in New Zealand. The nine-minute short film was earlier this year accepted into […]
Art installation inspires FAITH
It was a true sensory experience at the preview of the FAITH art installation, at the Art Studio on Friday. As dusk fell the first art work, FAITH by Loretta Reynolds, was removed from the door to the studio, and guests were invited inside. Inside they were greeted by incense and candlelight, and a range […]
Poems, ballads and limericks from Titikaveka
My Mama My mama is short My mama is healthy My mama is lovely My mama is funny too But I don’t care if people talk about her She is the love of my Life By Leahana Pareanga, Year Eight Country Roads Far and farther away Seemed it would never end The winding and turning […]
Mermaid Dance Band here for a ball
Frocks will be dusted off, party tiaras polished and dancing shoes laced up for this evening’s must attend event of the month – the red carpet Queen’s Jubilee Fire and Ice Ball. Presented and held at the BCA Art Gallery in the Beachcomber complex in Taputapuatea – the ball is a fundraiser event for the […]
Legends come to life at Avatea
After reading and learning about Cook Islands legends such as Katikatia, the creation of Nukuroa, Ati and the Momoke and the removal of Raemaru mountain to name a few – students retold the stories through dance and plays. It was an enjoyable and educational day for both students and parents. Thank you to Avatea School […]
Pearls gifted to Miss CI titleholders
The Pearl Lounge had three special pearls in store yesterday when Miss Cook Islands Teuira Napa, Maine Tapaeru Antonina Browne and Maine Purotu Kate Ngatokorua visited the Arorangi store. The three young women were at the store to accept gifts of pearl pendants from store owners Sophie and Gus Meyer – the parents of former […]
Jemimah takes charge!
Jemimah Tekena owned the stage in her Roman get-up and hip hop dance as the junior Miss Cook Islands non competing contestant on Thursday night. At just 17, Tekena was too young to join the pageant, however she was so keen to be part of the pageant experience that the pageant association felt it would […]