Features
Welder remembers airport build
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
William Cowan of Arorangi was 30 when he became part of Cook Islands airport history.
Emotional homecoming: Nassau, Pukapuka communities reconnect after decades apart
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
Ninety descendants of Nassau have returned to Rarotonga after a month in their homeland. Alongside a group of 76 who visited Pukapuka, the Nassau community of Auckland, with some from Australia, reconnected with their people, places, and unique cultures of their respective islands. Candice Luke reports.
Airport’s longest-serving employee reflects on 45 years of service
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
Amidst the bustling hub of aviation activity at the gateway to the Cook Islands, Rarotonga Airport, stands Rescue Fire Services’ dedicated manager, George Nicholls, who has committed nearly 45 years of solid-service to the community. Melina Etches reports.
‘Miracle baby’ Mana discharged after 128 days in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
After 128 days in intensive care, “miracle baby” Mana Te-Hine-Toa Pearl Castledine was finally discharged from the Waikato Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in New Zealand.
Reconnecting with Airport’s past during runway walk
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
Prime Minister Mark Brown was one of the close to four thousand people who took up the opportunity presented by Airport Authority Cook Islands to walk along the 2.3-kilometre airport runway for the first time on Tuesday.
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.
Church talk: Families are fundamental unit of society
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Family is perhaps the most important part of our earthly life and is at the centre of Heavenly Father’s plan, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kora showcases local gems at Airport Market Days event
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Tiare Kora, who takes care of her family’s “Kora Pearls” booth, is one of the 24 vendors at the Airport Market Days.
Boiler Room heats up Raro
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Entertainment, Features
Boiler Room rocked Rarotonga on Saturday night with a capacity crowd taking over the beachside venue of 21.3 Vaianas - playing to a potential viewership of 4 million online, the sights, sounds and vibes of the Cook Islands were on proud display through online cameras capturing the action.
One of Rarotonga’s few classic cars for sale
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
Cruising the Rarotonga loop road in one of the only classic cars on the island could soon be a reality for a keen Cook Islands petrol head.
Long Service Awards honour courage and dedication
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Honouring courage and dedication, three Airport Authority Rescue fire fighters were recognised with Long Service Gold Star awards (25+ years’ service).
Miss Cook Islands Association seeks young women for 2024 programme
Tuesday 23 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment, Features
Miss Cook Islands Association (MCIA) is calling on Cook Islands women aged 18-27 to join their personal development programme.
Embracing island life and education
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
New teachers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea bring diverse experiences and enthusiasm to Cook Islands classrooms.
Past meets present at Johnson’s Photographic Studio exhibition
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
The ‘Glimpse of the Past’ exhibition at the National Archives showcasing Johnson’s Photographic Studio images from the Cook Islands in the 1960s to 80s, sparks nostalgic memories for viewers.
Indigenous DJs give back to Rarotonga community before Boiler Room party
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Entertainment, Features
Boiler Room Rarotonga kicks off today at 3pm to a full-capacity crowd at Vaianas Bistro and Bar, but yesterday the DJs gave back to the Rarotonga community through their workshop at The Edgewater Resort.
Cook Islands to miss Pacific Islands pageant again
Friday 19 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment, Features, Weekend
Cook Islands will miss the Pacific Islands pageant contest for the second consecutive year after pulling out of the 2024 event to be held in Nauru next month.
Church Talk: Experiencing God’s steadfast love
Friday 19 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)
Raro fitness group takes Cook Islands dance to the world
Friday 19 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, Go Local
After four years of running a hugely popular ura fitness class out of Avatiu Club House with her ‘Queens’, the CC Tamure Fitness ladies have come full circle, entering the online fitness world to take Cook Islands dance, language and culture, global again.
Purr-fect solution: Desexing cats to save Rarotonga’s ecosystem
Thursday 18 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Features, Go Local, Weekend
The ecosystem of Rarotonga will be at risk if the cat population is not controlled through desexing, warns Shannon Paul, the manager of Paws n Claws cat sanctuary.
Digital discount card gains following with streamlined tourist info and deals
Wednesday 17 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Features, Go Local, National
A year after going digital, Raro Pass, formerly known as Chantal’s Discount Card, has gained a loyal following, offering locals and visitors alike discounts, online ticketing, and streamlined tourist information.
