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.
Canoe gets some artistic flair
Young Cook Islands artist Nathan Welsh spray-paints his uncle Fletcher Melvins rudderless canoe. Welsh, who was born and bred on Rarotonga, is now based in New Zealand but is back home this week for his art show. His pieces which are influenced by street culture and contemporary urban art are on display at The Art […]
Rough conditions hamper annual fishing competition
Fishing conditions were unfavourable at the weekend where 17 boats headed out to contest the Don Beer Senior Memorial Trophy for the heaviest tuna in the annual competition over Queens Birthday weekend. Seventeen boats registered for the competition, but unfortunately the fishing conditions were far from ideal with a strong south-easterly blowing on both days […]
Pacific artist leaves indelible legacy
The local art community came together yesterday to celebrate the life of Jim Vivieaere, whose death last week left a void in the heart of many a Pacific artist. With artist Ani ONeill acting as master of ceremonies, the Rarotonga memorial service took place at the Peace Garden at Taputapuatea in Avarua. Artists, friends and […]
Show a once in a lifetime experience
Motone Productions Opera in Paradise wrapped up last weekend, with a deserved standing ovation for the two star singers at the Crown Beach Resort in Arorangi. The stars were two outstanding Pacific tenors, Ben Makisi and Cook Islander Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua. The two sold-out shows in Rarotonga were in aid of local charity Te Vaerua, which […]
Tiki Taane gig tickets going fast
Number one New Zealand artist Tiki Taane is performing for his second time on Rarotonga at an exclusive gig on Friday at Rehab Nightclub. The gig will open with local acts and then launch into Tikis acoustic set, ending in him performing an MC/DJ set. Tiki first came to Rarotonga back in 2007 for a […]
Rarotonga life seduces Australian couple
The newest owners of Saltwater Cafe were planning to grow old in their Brisbane home theyd even remodelled it last year. But somewhere along the way, Stephen and Sue Welsh fell in love with Rarotonga. After a holiday to Aitutaki and a conversation with Saltwaters former owners Mike and Pook, they made a spontaneous decision […]
Wedding makes magazine pages
The recent wedding of two young people with Cook Islands connections was of such celebrity status, it made it into the pages of popular New Zealand magazine Womans Weekly. The granddaughter of Meremaraea Macquarie married former All Black Tamati Ellison who is New Zealand Maori and the nephew of Arorangi Trades Training Centre director Boyd […]
Young artist nervous over show
Young Cook Islands artists Nathan Welsh and Mata Priest are doing their first show at The Art Studio in Arorangi. The exhibition opens for a preview today at 4pm, and will be on display from June 6 until June 15. Its an array of different works, including print, photography and paintings. Priest graduated from Tereora […]
Stone exhibition first of its kind
A collection of Cook Islands stone sites, structures and monuments will be on display at the National Museum, starting from tomorrow. The exhibition entitled Cook Islands in Stone opens for a preview tonight at 6 oclock and will be open to the public until June 21. The National Museum is staging the exhibition with help […]
Tenors wrap up tonight
This weekends Opera in Paradise at the Crown Beach Resort features award-winning Samoan/Tongan tenor Benjamin Fifitia Makisi and Cook Islands very own tenor Bonaventure Allan Moetaua. Opera as a performance art is new to the South Pacific and it is now gaining interest here in Rarotonga. Like our own traditional performing art of Cook Islands […]
Doors open on revamped Spaghetti House
The Spaghetti House has a new look and a new menu. Host of New Zealand television series The Kitchen Job John Palino and Kiwi master chef Paul Edge were on Rarotonga last week with an eye to redesigning the restaurants decor and re-jigging its menu. The Monday night opening function of the redecorated and revamped […]
2 week surf mission wraps up
Sydney-based surfer Charlotte Pihos two-week mission to find the perfect Cook Islands wave dubbed The Awakening on her website ended on Tuesday night with a dinner-and-show function at Pacific Resort. The evening marked the end of a journey through the southern group islands to locate an untouched surfers paradise. Piho and her team which included […]
Poor practise leads to ships grounding
Poor navigational and seamanship practice led Te Kou Maru II to run aground on the Mauke reef. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has concluded its preliminary investigation into the stranding of the 45-metre Taio Shipping vessel on the reef last October, and MOT director of marine Ned Howard and Cook Islands Maritime Training Centre tutor […]
Worship songs rock through to NZ
A locally-produced worship CD is making waves as far away as New Zealand. Celebration on the Rocks first 10-track album, entitled Enter the Land, is selling quickly to congregations in Northland and Christchurch. The local worship team marked the release of the album with a performance to an 800-strong congregation in Christchurch last month. Since […]
Chef plans French fusion menu
Chef Christian Ben Hassan has a vision to establish Rarotongas first fine French fusion restaurant at The Little Polynesian. Originally from Andorra a tiny country bordered by France and Spain with a cuisine that reflects both influences Ben Hassan arrived last week and has already set about changing the Titikaveka resorts menu. He envisions a […]
Ani puts spotlight on Cook Islands
The Cook Islands enjoyed some time in the spotlight at a recent Mangere Arts Centre show in Auckland. Tereora College art teacher and Pacific Sister Ani ONeill has returned from the show, where she opened her solo exhibition and performed with her group Pacific Sisters. Anis solo exhibition which runs at Mangere Arts Centre until […]
Composting toilet good for earth
Kia Orana Kids, At Lagoon Day this year youll notice our model composting toilet has undergone renovations and youll get to see an actual sample of soil from our real Rotaloo composting toilet in Mauke, now matured and ready for the garden. We know it sounds weird, but we often say how much we like […]
The class of 71
Room 9 of Nikao Side School, taken in 1971. The teacher is Mr Terry Lambert. 11042985
French singer to perform in Rarotonga
Alliance Franaise (AF) has organised for New Zealand-based French singer Franck Monnet to perform two concerts on Rarotonga this month. On May 20 at 5pm, Monnet will be at Le Bon Vivant, playing alongside local jazz duo The Trigger Fish (drummer Mo Newport and singer Kura Happ). The following evening at 6 oclock, he will […]
New subeditor ex www.stuff.co.nz
Why not? Ann Aitken Worth thought when considering a chance to live and work in the Cook Islands. Aitken Worth (29), has joined the Cook Islands News as subeditor. She moved to Rarotonga two weeks ago from Wellington in New Zealand and says despite the recent rain Cook Islands weather has been an improvement. Aitken […]