In Depth
“What is our responsibility to the people of Kūki ‘Airani? Our tuakana”
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is the wahine co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, a political party in Aotearoa. Descending from Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine and Ngā Rauru, she is a grassroots activist and environmental campaigner with a lifetime of fighting for indigenous rights. Candice Luke reports.
Papa Spoila keeps ‘Kūkis’ connected
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Multi-talented Cook Islander Tautape Samson wears many hats. Samson is known worldwide as a comedian, a dance tutor, costume designer, and a music artist alongside his siblings in Samson Squad. Candice Luke reports.
Serving the Ui Ariki - A decade of challenges and triumphs for Rakanui
Saturday 6 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Tupuna Rakanui, Te-O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of The House of Ariki), has resigned from his tiresome but rewarding role. But he says: ‘I’m not running away’. In an interview with Cook Islands News reporter Candice Luke, Rakanui reflects on his tenure with a mixed bag of emotions – from regret to pride, and sends well wishes to the new candidates. Although his time in the job has come to a welcomed end, his service to Te Are Ariki will continue.
I still wake up thinking about it: Foster on All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup loss
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Rugby Union, Sports
The sting of the Rugby World Cup final loss, over a month ago, still lingers for former All Blacks coach Ian Foster as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Breaking the generational cycle of violence in the Cook Islands
Monday 27 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
This year’s White Ribbon Day violence against women campaign also included the promotion of ‘A violence-free Cook Islands’, aiming to flip the script and change the narrative to celebrate peace, saying no to violence, domestic abuse, and child abuse and exploitation.
Te Ko‘u summit biodiversity
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
The inland mountains of Rarotonga maintain one of the most pristine tropical forests in the Central South Pacific. Gerald McCormack of Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust explains why.
Black-shouldered Lapwings: Rare vagrants on Rarotonga
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth
On the 30th of August, Maureen Goodwin saw two unusual birds on her inland Muri lawn. She googled and identified them as Australian Southern Lapwings rather than the Northern due to the black ‘ei kakī (collar). Over the next few days, they fed, ran over the lawn, and flew around the area, writes Gerald McCormack, director of Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.
‘Our guardian angels’: Terminally-ill visitor thanks community for help
Monday 18 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Health, Health, In Depth, National, Travel
A terminally-ill Australian grandfather, whose dying wish was to holiday in Rarotonga with his family, was faced with spending his final trip in “crippling, excruciating pain” – until the Cooks community stepped in.
Upholding the provisions of the Rarotonga Treaty
Monday 11 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Features, In Depth, National, Pacific Islands, Weekend
The Rarotonga Treaty remains a cornerstone of our approach to a nuclear-free zone
Reconnecting people to address climate change
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Focusing on educating and changing mindsets as a solution to climate change is about reconnecting people to their environment and their resources through agriculture, says Dr Teina Rongo, marine biologist and environment warrior.
Research aims to break down barriers for Cook Islands women in leadership
Monday 21 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, In Depth, National
Christina Akanoa, the Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-H), is making significant strides in understanding the contributions of Cook Islands women in sustainable growth and political involvement.
From darkness to redemption: A journey of transformation and faith
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Mareta Angene Taana was a troubled young woman who has found solace in God, and is transforming her life and relationships. Unleashing the beast of darkness, she is now embracing the radiance of love and light, living with renewed hope.
Christianity brought new hope, new dreams and new prosperity
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In his final article, he talks about the impact of Christianity in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islanders in Hawaii help with relief efforts
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Features, In Depth, Local, National
Hawaiians residing on Rarotonga are devastated by the loss of lives and destruction of historic sites and friends’ properties in the wildfires that have ravaged Lahaina, Hawaii.
Cook Islands’ seabed mining ambitions unaffected by ISA failure to adopt rules
Thursday 10 August 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Cook Islands’ ambition to mine its seabed in the future is ‘unaffected’ by the failure to adopt rules on deep sea mining at a recent international meeting. However, an environment group warns the country against jumping ahead of the work that is still to be concluded.
Christianity lands on Mangaia
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the arrival of Christianity on Mangaia.
Mum’s hope for missing teenage son
Monday 31 July 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Features, In Depth, Local, National, Weekend
A year after a 19-year-old teenager went missing after being dropped off at a bus stop on Rarotonga, his family is still hopeful of finding him.
Papeiha descendants proud of Tahitian missionary’s legacy
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, In Depth, National
Tinomana Tokerau Ariki e tana Tama Ū’ā te Kauariki Rangi and Ekalesia Arorangi e te Vaka Puaikura held a thanksgiving service and special monument unveiling at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church yesterday morning to celebrate the bicentennial arrival of Christianity.
Strengthening ancestral and contemporary links between Cook Islands and Aotearoa
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
Aotearoa New Zealand Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and husband Dr Richard Davies enjoyed the hospitality of Rarotonga twice before her official state visit to the Cook Islands last week. In an interview with Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches Dame Cindy reflected on the deep cultural connections between the Cook Islands and Aotearoa NZ and the contemporary relationship the two countries share.
Finding the mental edge
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, Weekend
Mental performance coach David Niethe has advised some of New Zealand’s top sportspeople on reaching their goals. He talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about his career and how he can inspire others.
