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.
Northern islands honour new PM
Prime Minister Henry Puna appears to be getting straight down to the business of running the country after being sworn in as the country’s leader on Tuesday and announcing his Cabinet on Thursday. However, the new prime minister took time out to allow his people from Manihiki and Rakahanga to honour their ‘son’ on Wednesday […]
Ticket takes off
Hot on the heels of two successful New Zealand gigs, the newly re-formed 70s acid rock band Ticket has accepted an offer to play with music legends Bob Dylan, B.B. King and Elvis Costello next Easter. Polynesian Tax Free Ltd owner Trevor Richards (formerly Tombleson) – who is Ticket’s frontman – has confirmed that his […]
Crunch time at Raro Idol
It is crunch time for the remaining three Raro Idol contestants, who will battle it out on stage this week to secure a place in the final. Tim Nubono, Marama Terekia, and Emile Rima will each perform two songs at the penultimate live show tonight. Four eliminated contestants will also pair up with judges and […]
Arorangi students share their work
The writing pieces featured are those of a handful of Arorangi school students written by students in grades 4, 5 and form 2. Given various assignments some of the works are acrostic poems and themed essays with some in Maori as well as in English. Meitaki maata to Arorangi School principal Vae Unuka for sharing […]
New market day at Titikaveka
Titikaveka held its first market day at the Enua Manea Hall yesterday. Organisers Taivero Isamaela and William Numanga hope the new initiative will expand over time. Everything from cooked food to fresh fruit and veges to crafts can be sold at the market. “It’s for anyone in Rarotonga to come and display their wares or […]
Varu's paintings snapped up at exhibition
Six of the 11 paintings in Varu Samuel’s Life Voyage exhibition were sold on the opening night. It is Varu Samuel’s first exhibition for four years and has already proved that the interest in his work hasn’t slowed down. Samuel has spent the last four years developing his skills as a tattooist, and only took […]
Inspired ocean art
Beautiful paintings and prints inspired by the ocean will continue to be on display as part of the Vaka Eiva oe vaka art exhibition at the Art Studio in Arorangi. The studio has hosted the art exhibition every year as part of the annual Vaka Eiva Festival. In the past, decorated oe or paddles were […]
OM Nite at Chillis
Chilis in Tupapa is hosting the last Open Mic Nite of the year on Monday. At 7pm, all local musos are invited to head down to Chilis to perform for the last time before the New Year. Organiser Nooroa Ruaine hopes there will be a huge turnout for the wrap-up function, and is asking all […]
Dancing Queenies on show
A December 8 dance-off will show the Cooks who is the Queen of the Queenies. The Queenies are putting on another Dancer of the Year show – International Kura Kapa Anuanua – at the National Auditorium and donating all proceeds to Pokoinu Tua Varu Clinic. Guest performers include Destiny, whose recent Raro Idol fame precedes […]
NZ tenor heading to Raro
Well known New Zealand tenor Ben Fifita Makisi is coming to Rarotonga. Motone Productions and Crown Beach are teaming up to produce his December 17 show at Oceans Restaurant. Makisi will be performing a range of opera classics. Tickets to see him sing are $100 each – the price of which includes a pre-dinner glass […]
Earth, sun and moon in focus at Rutaki
Rutaki Primary School pupils have been busy completing a project about the earth, sun and moon. The class of year five and six pupils has also made walking stilts and coconut-shell shoes as part of a culture programme. They have been practising walking on the stilts and shells for the past couple of weeks, to […]
Artist wants young to learn tapa making
Andrea Emike is trying to involve the next generation in the making and use of tapa cloth. This traditional material for clothing is made from pounded bark cloth. Tapa and garments made from the material can still be seen at traditional ceremonies like the investiture of a new Ariki. Textile artist Emike, who runs the […]
Zumba teacher opens US studio
Cook Islander Emm Koteka-Wiki this week opened a dance and fitness studio in Norwalk, Connecticut. Hundreds of people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which officially put Studio M Dance & Fitness on the map. Emm specialises in teaching Zumba classes but also offers step aerobics, boot camp, pump, strength and toning, circuit, cross training and core […]
Edge Club launched
Edgewater Resort and Spa is launching a discount card for locals which entitles them to 10 per cent off all the services at Edgewater. That includes the brasserie and Spaghetti House, Mel’s Bar, the spa, as well as room bills. “Edgewater enjoys the business it gets from the local community and this loyalty scheme is […]
E-top up arrives
A new cellphone service called E-top up was introduced on Thursday. Telecom Cook Islands says the electronic mobile phone top up service, commonly known as E-top up, is the fast way to add credit to a pre-paid phone. It’s quick and easy, with pre-paid customers benefiting from the convenience of topping up mobile phones electronically. […]
Home loan bonus
ANZ Cook Islands has presented prizes to the winners of its home loan campaign draw. People who applied for an ANZ home loan between July and October were entered into a draw to win appliances including a microwave, vacuum cleaner, rice cooker, crock pot and electric frying pans. Glen Armstrong, Sarah and Moeroa Takairangi, Marie […]
Koru caters for 'Atupaka Appetites'
Katrina Petero and Steve Armstrong came to see Katrina’s parents in Aitutaki on their way to Australia to set up a caf. But they fell in love with Katrina’s home island, and have been operating Koru Caf ever since. The husband and wife team had been living in Australia where Steve worked as a chef […]
Diamond back
Neil Diamond recorded his latest album, “Dreams,” with just a guitar and a microphone, interpreting old classics in a very intimate setting that puts the focus squarely on his voice. But the 69-year-old legend is hoping the stripped arrangement draws listeners closer to something else he holds dear – the songs’ lyrics. While he knows […]
Tara's new album a labour of love
Local singer Tara Kauvai’s new album comes out today and will be on sale at the Punanga Nui market from 8:30am. The album is titled Poe Manea and contains 10 tracks in both English and Maori. The songs are about love – ‘from a girl’s perspective’, she said – and have a distinctively ‘Tara Kauvai […]
Movie part of bash
It’s Coco Putt’s first birthday today, and owner Tokerau Turia is gearing up for a big celebration. From 12 until 2pm, kids under 12 can play a game of golf for free, while their parents enjoy an all-day Happy Hour, $4 shots and $10 cocktails. Free sausage sizzles will be on periodically throughout the day […]