Memory Lane
Alf – a man who fell in love
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Memory Lane
When the late Alfred George Manu first came to Rarotonga 22 years ago, he didn’t expect to fall in love. The original plan was to fulfill his rugby league contract as an outstanding premier player, get a few casual jobs and go where the southerly trade winds would take him. But Alf fell in love.
Raro welcomes the troops, 1919
Saturday 6 May 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
Cook Islanders returned from the first world war as changed men, but they still knew how to party, as these century old photos show, writes Rod Dixon.
Cook Islands pays tribute to fallen soldiers at Anzac Day Dawn Service
Wednesday 26 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
Sixty-nine-year-old Remuera Rangi was among a large number of ex-servicemen who attended the 108th Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at the Ministry of Justice headquarters early yesterday.
Neil Dearlove – ‘A dreamer, a motivator, an adventurer’
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by John Woods | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Writing with deep sadness and heartfelt sympathy for the Dearlove family, Cook Islands News journalist and publisher John Woods penned this obituary for his friend and former neighbour Neil Dearlove, the well known café operator and coffee roaster who died this week and was buried at sea on Thursday.
‘Persevere always’: Tribute to Reverend Oirua Rasmussen
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Reverend Oirua Rasmussen was man of the cloth – a Minister who provided spiritual leadership and enlightenment to members of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia for over 25 years. He passed away last month on March 29, aged 60.
How Mangaians helped rescue Raro’s economy
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
At the beginning of the twentieth century migrants rescued Rarotonga’s population and economy, then in apparently ‘terminal’ decline. Within a few decades these migrants had become established Rarotongan families, traditional landowners and custodians of the culture. Is a similar process currently underway?
Telling it like it is –Framhein’s 90-year journey
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
Sharp, witty, wizened and well groomed, 90-year-old Apai Raropua Mataiapo Tutara Tekeu Emil Framhein still tells it like it is, good naturedly with no filter. Affectionately known as Apai or Papa Keu, Framhein shares some of his life’s journey with Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches.
A leader, mentor and respected man with many talents: leaving a lasting legacy
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Uirangi Mataiapo Rei Jack Enoka (OBE) was a respectable leader – a traditional leader, a former politician and Leader of the House, and a man with many skills including a grower, a businessman, a Boys Brigade brass band master and a boxing representative.
‘She was the glue that kept our family together’
Thursday 5 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
E puera tiare kua takupe, Ki te ara tiroa o Takitumu, E tiare Maori kakara.
A year of ‘marked progress’
Saturday 31 December 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Features, Memory Lane
A memorandum presented to the Houses of the General Assembly in New Zealand by the Minister for the Cook Islands, Maui Pomare (he had yet to receive his knighthood), gives a fascinating insight into life on Rarotonga back in 1923. A trained doctor, Pomare presented the report following his first visit to the Cook Islands for almost five years, noting the changes that had taken place since his earlier visit.
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.
‘We will remember them’: Armistice service for fallen Cook Islands WWI heroes
Friday 11 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National
At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them. Today is Armistice Day which marks the agreement to end World War I with peace negotiations that began at 11am on 11 November 1918.
Remembering Cyclone Martin: ‘Many took that flight and never came back’
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, Outer Islands
It was a cyclone like no other, and its impact is still felt by those who lived through it. Rebecca Hosking-Ellis talks to Cook Islands News senior journalist Matthew Littlewood about her memories of Cyclone Martin and the toll it took on the Manihiki community.
‘We are resilient’
Tuesday 1 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, Memory Lane
On November 1, 1997, Cyclone Martin struck the island atoll of Manihiki with waves higher than the highest coconut tree, claiming 19 lives. Today marks the 25-year anniversary of the destructive cyclone – the most catastrophic storm to hit the Cook Islands. Anna and Willie Katoa and their daughter Katarina are some of the survivors. Ana was five months pregnant when the waves struck, tragically they lost their seven-year-old daughter Maureen (older Maureen) who was presumed drowned. ‘Resilience’ is the word that springs to Anna’s mind when she emotionally recollects the surreal fight for survival during their three days at sea from the devastation of Cyclone Martin.
Remembering Cyclone Martin: ‘It still makes me cry today’
Saturday 22 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Cyclone Martin was one of the most devastating events in the Cook Islands history, but nearly 25 years on, Niki Rattle remembers the resilience of the Manihiki community. The former secretary of the Cook Islands Red Cross and current Cook Islands Ombudsman talks to Matthew Littlewood about the event.
What the story of Mātini teaches
Saturday 22 October 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Opinion
Twenty-five years ago, Cyclone Martin hit Manihiki. Rachel Reeves, the author of ‘Mātini: The story of Cyclone Martin’ writes about why we should remember.
Marjorie Tua’inekore Crocombe – An exceptional life
Saturday 30 July 2022 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Marjorie and Ron Crocombe lived up to exacting standards in their personal and professional lives and their combined efforts impacted and inspired uncountable others. We were privileged to know them, writes former USP director Rod Dixon.
Rarotonga’s elusive railway and locomotive
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
The Cook Islands' first ever railway track and locomotive is as elusive as it is amazing.
RSM Maitai: A rusty remembrance
Saturday 23 April 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Features, Memory Lane
One hundred and thirty years ago, the Royal Mail Service (RMS) Maitai ran aground off the island of Rarotonga, stranding 43 people and entwining the lives of others forever.
‘He loved and lived life at full speed’
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Tributes flowed and the island mourned for the most popular, sociable and sporty ‘pa’paa lawyer of the Cook Islands’, who was buried yesterday at his home in Avaavaroa.
