In Depth
Reiner’s declaration of love for Raro
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
Reiner Gatermann’s love for Rarotonga has brought him back to the island an incredible 21 times. He chats with senior journalist Melina Etches.
Cook Islands and the British Commonwealth membership
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth
Before the Cook Islands considers submitting an application to become a member of the United Nations, we should first consider submitting an application to become a Full Member of the British Commonwealth, writes historian Howard Henry.
From the pristine environment to stray dogs: Cook Islands visitors reveal their likes and dislikes
Sunday 30 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, In Depth
Tourists in the Cook Islands are still spending more and staying longer than before, but many have concerns about the environment and public infrastructure. Senior journalist Matthew Littlewood digs into the latest Cook Islands Visitor Survey report, and talks to visitors along the way.
91 years and counting
Saturday 29 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in In Depth, Local
At the age of 91, Rongo Ezekiela is trim, energetic and agile, and continues to watch his food intake and mobility routine. He shares his healthy lifestyle journey, and his work experiences with Government in the 1950s taking care of the transmitter masts and stations, with senior journalist Melina Etches.
Garth’s recipe for staying Young
Saturday 29 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth, Local
Veteran musician Garth Young is about to blow out the candles as he nears 90. The past couple of years have seen him make significant lifestyle changes as the work dried up during Covid-19. He’s starting to reap the benefits.
Human rights abuses and violations: Children, people with disabilities and LGBT+ community ‘vulnerable’
Monday 10 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, In Depth
According to the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) children continue to be subject to high levels of abuse, there is still a stigma around people with disabilities and the government is complicit in allowing religious leaders to persist with homophobic attitudes in the Cook Islands.
Visitor arrival numbers dip, industry braces for ‘shoulder period’
Saturday 8 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, In Depth
Tourism providers are bracing themselves for the ‘shoulder period’ of the year, as visitor numbers are predicted to dip again.
ANZAC DAY: Recognising young veterans
Tuesday 26 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth
Before dawn broke on ANZAC Day, a crowd of more than 100 people respectfully and solemnly gathered at the Cenotaph for the Dawn Parade.
Buses and taxis are making a comeback
Monday 4 April 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, In Depth
Fewer taxis are hitting the streets, but for many Cook Islanders, cabs and buses are inspiring a nostalgic and affordable fervour and return, which could lead to public transport becoming a more dominant mode of transportation.
Cook Islands’ first Catholic cathedral gets major facelift
Monday 14 March 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, In Depth
Behind Nukutere College at Avarua in Rarotonga lies Cook Islands’ first Catholic cathedral dating back 123 years.
There is more to the Cook Islands than meets the eye
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth
Kiwi environmental sociologist Dr Corrina Tucker has fallen in love with the Cook Islands. She is placing her footprints here one step at a time.
The world has stopped spinning
Tuesday 8 March 2022 | Written by Rahul Patil | Published in Features, In Depth
As the world comes to terms with the sudden death of arguably the best spinner to have ever played the game of cricket, Rahul Patil writes about a gifted genius who genuinely tried his best to make a difference in people’s lives by giving way more than what he received.
‘I didn’t work for the money, I worked for the country’
Saturday 26 February 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth
John Teaurima has been with Te Kukupa since 1988 and is preparing for her voyage of return to Australia.
Conservation area a balancing act
Saturday 12 February 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth
There is plenty of community buy in for a conservation area significantly damaged by storms on Rarotonga, but there is also an uncertain future.
Cook Islander gains PhD in sports and exercise science
Thursday 13 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth
One of the first Cook Islanders to gain doctorate degree in sports and exercise science wants to investigate acceptable and effective methods of implementing exercise programmes into Pacific islands communities.
‘Do it for yourself and your whanau’
Saturday 6 November 2021 | Written by Derek Fox | Published in Features, In Depth
When I was first asked to write this, I resisted. You see like all blokes I wasn’t interested in having my internal workings and ailments publicly aired. But then I thought of my soldier friend, whose company I might still be enjoying if he’d got help earlier, writes veteran broadcaster Derek Fox.
National security – an evolving concern
Monday 6 September 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, In Depth
With Cold War tensions easing and the Pacific Islands becoming increasingly interconnected with the broader world, however, there was growing concern that threats to our way of life and even the existence of our countries could come from various places and take various forms, writes Dr Jim Gosselin.
Cook Islander takes to Youtube to spread the word on money matters
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, In Depth
Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with money has been a life-long goal for Gold Coast-based Cook Islander George Woonton. With help from YouTube, he’s now sharing what he’s learned along the way with the larger Pasifika community.
‘We are adaptable... you have to keep a smile on your face and stay positive’
Saturday 21 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth
Common themes pop up in conversation with business operators on Rarotonga in light of a Covid-19 community outbreak involving the highly infectious Delta variant in New Zealand . . . resilience, adaptability, diversification and strength.
Israel, once the model for beating Covid-19, faces new surge of infections
Wednesday 18 August 2021 | Written by The New York Times | Published in Features, In Depth
Questions are being raised about the Covid-19 vaccine’s efficacy as Israel, one of the most vaccinated societies, now has one of the highest infection rates in the world, By Isabel Kershner from the New York Times.
