Weekend
Rare Rarotonga monarch research continues
Friday 2 July 2021 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Features, Weekend
The opening of the travel bubble has been good news for the kākerōri birds because it means that one of their most dedicated enthusiasts was able to return to Rarotonga to get stuck into a much overdue, annual bird survey.
Long standing Airport Authority chief executive calls time
Friday 2 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Rarotonga International Airport Authority chief executive Joseph Ngamata is calling it a day after 40 years in the business - 25 of those at the helm.
Returning home to serve her people
Friday 25 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
In the Cook Islands, the continuing battle between families for a suitable candidate to succeed an Ariki title is an ongoing issue that can shred families apart for generations.
A sweet scent of success
Friday 18 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Lafala Turepu set up Turepu Vanilla with an aim to produce a viable export product. Five years on, she says it was an ambitious and difficult goal but one that is not impossible. By Melina Etches.
Reliving memories of Mangaia’s boatmen shooting the reef
Friday 11 June 2021 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
Taking cargo over the reef in the outer islands involved extraordinary seamanship. Boats and canoes crossed the edge of the reef on the crest of a chosen wave. But when the sea was rolling from the wrong direction, a crossing could be fraught with danger. By Rod Dixon on Mangaia.
A family of kayakers
Friday 11 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands 2020 Sportswoman of the Year Jane Nicholas was back on Rarotonga this week for a brief break in a busy schedule before the upcoming Olympic Games. Al Williams caught up with Nicholas and her family.
Cook’s buses get smart
Saturday 5 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
The wheels keep turning for the Cook family who have been providing public transport on Rarotonga for more than 30 years. Al Williams caught up with them at their Nikao operation.
Will deep sea mining destroy what the ocean already provides humanity?
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Features, Weekend
A precautionary approach of two concurrent nodule mines has the potential to provide a major new revenue stream for the Cook Islands of around US$90 million (NZ$124m) per year, writes Gerald McCormack, Natural Heritage Trust.
Life hasn’t been all rosy but Blake rises above it all
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Like the bright colourful trademark ei katu she proudly wears, Rosie Blake – or Aunty Rosie, the former Consul General of the Cook Islands in New Zealand – is cheerful, bubbly and smilingly proud to be a Cook Islander. On a recent visit to Rarotonga she shared her experiences as the Consul General, a post she held from 2013 until October 2020.
Diving back into business
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
It’s been a tough 12 months for local tour operators who are now welcoming back guests. Al Williams reports.
Pandemic a blessing in disguise
Saturday 22 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Features, Weekend
The local wedding industry witnessed the first international wedding in over a year on Thursday afternoon at the Pacific Resort Rarotonga.
Bubble gives Kiwi journalists a week in paradise
Saturday 22 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Kiwi journalists flooded into Rarotonga this week as the Cook Islands travel bubble with New Zealand inflated. They shared their Cook Islands experiences with senior journalist Al Williams.
Dancing his way to the top
Saturday 15 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
A new male champion was crowned at the senior dance competition while the dazzling Ambushia Mateariki retained the Female Dancer of the Year title at the lively event on Thursday night.
Big Blueprint tivaevae – a blend of old and new
Saturday 8 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The Big Blueprint tivaevae ta’orei – the patchwork style of tivaevae made from 1-inch squares of fabric sewn onto a solid backing – is one of a kind. Its captivating abstract design is intriguing.
From Rarotonga to paradise – a trip of a lifetime
Saturday 8 May 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Weekend
Seven hundred and forty nautical miles, or 1460 kilometres, and an estimated 96-hour sea voyage away from Rarotonga lies the island of Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva. With a population of approximately 218 people, and an array of uninhabited motu’s (smaller islands) spread out across its lagoons, Penrhyn continues to remain one of Earth’s best kept secrets. Nobby Clark, fisherman and owner of fishing charter boat Marlin Queen, recounts his recent visit to the Northern Group island.
Online learning – no noodles needed
Saturday 1 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Features, Weekend
Learning can take many forms – visual, verbal, physical or social. Everyone learns differently and whatever your personality, there is something for everyone.
Passionate performances pay tribute to the arrival of Christianity
Saturday 24 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The Rarotonga Schools Culture Festival wrapped up on Wednesday night with raving performances from all teams.
Wings and ‘whirlybirds’ over Mangaia
Saturday 24 April 2021 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend
In 1945 the ariki of Mangaia offered New Zealand land for an airstrip. In the same year, the ending of the Second World war released thousands of ex-pilots and surplus aircraft to service remote air-routes around the world. While other countries took advantage, another 30 years would pass before commercial aircraft landed on Mangaia. By Rod Dixon
Aitutaki experience: An Easter getaway to paradise
Saturday 17 April 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Features, Weekend
Since moving to Rarotonga from New Zealand earlier in the year, journalist Caleb Fotheringham and his schoolteacher wife Jess have been hearing a lot about Aitutaki. During the Easter break they travelled to the Southern Group island to find out what the hype was all about.
Are Taunga of Araura - 'We invest our Ariki in our traditional procedures'
Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The investiture of the second Tamatoa Ariki was held last week, just over a month after Taraota Tom was invested with the title on the island of Aitutaki. House of Ariki, the parliamentary body composed of Cook Islands high chiefs, refused to attend both investitures because of the "ongoing dispute over the title". But the sub chiefs backing the newly-crowned Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa say they will decide the legitimate holder.
