Weekend
The Queen of Palmerston celebrates milestone
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
Sarah Marsters comes from a family with a big history. She has spent her life with people with strong personalities like her famous first husband Tom Neale – but the 96-year-old from an island of just 35 people has never been overshadowed.
'Nurses are dying because they aren't given protective equipment'
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Weekend
From an office in Geneva, Elizabeth Iro is a commander in the battle against the greatest health crisis the world has ever seen.
The cheapest fish ever – thanks to Covid
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Coronavirus shutdowns have hit tourism and restaurants the world over – but what’s that got to do with the price of fish?
Meet the cash collector
Thursday 23 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
Cook Islands’ best-known cash collector isn’t Revenue Management Division. The honour goes to a restaurateur in Arorangi – and now, he’s offering one of his Cook Islands $3 notes to the widow of the man who designed them.
Lifting ra'ui to feed the hungry
Tuesday 21 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
Cultural and environmental experts say traditional leaders may decide to lift ra’ui on protected marine areas to allow people to go fishing as times get tough – but already, some people are taking the law into their own hands.
The last tourists left behind
Monday 20 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
When others talked of being stranded on Raro, there are a few tourists who decided there could be no better place to call home in a locked down world.
Separated from my family, isolated in barbed wire-fenced 'hot facility'
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Weekend
Shaun Bamber’s small daughter was med-evaced from Rarotonga to New Zealand before the coronavirus border lockdown. Now, he tells of his long journey to join his family again.
Keeping our children safe in lockdown
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Weekend
Gina Tavioni Bamber is guiding her three children through lockdown and critical health care, without her husband Shaun. She tells how she misses him – and she misses their home in Rarotonga.
The famous $3 note: Ina rides her shark into the sunset
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
Rick Welland painted the image on the $3 bill – but recently, his widow gave away their last one.
Tourism pushes pause for 'better return'
Friday 17 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
Cook Islands Tourism has put a hold on international media promotion valued at $8.5m – but hopes to cash in when the country opens its door to tourists again.
Homeward to the unknown
Thursday 16 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
The Government of Germany plans to fly up to 40 stranded European tourists home from Cook Islands on an Air New Zealand charter flight this weekend.
Growing our economy again
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Weekend
Like a seed, a country’s economy needs stimulation to grow. There are no quick fixes for the Covid-19 crisis, but ideas for rebuilding are starting to sprout.
Aboard the ghost ship, from Rarotonga into the unknown
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Weekend
The passengers and crew of the MSC Magnifica have fond memories of Rarotonga. They were Cook Islands’ last cruise guests before the travel ban – and five weeks later, the sands of Muri beach are a distant memory of one of the last times they were allowed to step ashore.
Stranded in paradise but longing to go home
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
While sipping on a cup of green tea every morning a Swiss couple keeps a strong smile as they enjoy every moment of being in Rarotonga.
Songs for the return home
Thursday 9 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Weekend
These are wistful times for Cook Islands families who are dispersed around the world.
This helmet saved a boy's life last month
Saturday 4 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weekend
The boy was riding home from work last month, late at night. He hadn’t been drinking. He wasn’t speeding. He came round the corner in Rutaki and – boom – he hit a branch across the road.
Leaders stand up when need is the greatest
Saturday 4 April 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
The remote, crime-ridden community of Aurukun is far, far up in Australia’s northernmost corner.
Keeping the lines of communication open
Monday 30 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Marie Francis from Solutions Cook Islands Limited advises people not to stress – even in the coronavirus crisis.
100 years of colour, music and love
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Emily Russell quietly celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, just down the road from where she was born.
Keeping sane in a bubble
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Lisa Sadaraka, her fiancé Adrian Moody and four teenagers between them are in lock down in Auckland. “It’s going to be a testing time for us all, so we need to keep kindness and compassion at the forefront of our minds,” said Sadaraka.
