Weekend
Mum and daughter attend COP28
Monday 11 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
Cook Islands' Nanette Woonton is at the COP28 event in Dubai in her capacity as the Communications and Outreach Advisor for SPREP.
Dreams fulfilled: Rarotonga students celebrate academic achievements
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
This week saw more school prizegiving ceremonies held across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua. Today, Cook Islands News presents the senior awards list for Apii Avarua, Apii Nikao, and Papaaroa Adventist School.
Age no barrier for 65-year-old Vaka Eiva competitor
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
A 65-year-old Hawaii-based woman who has returned to Rarotonga to compete in the Vaka Eiva for the first time in 13 years says she will be paddling “until I’m dead”.
Harvie Allison: The man behind the lens of Vaka Eiva
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
The Australia-based official photographer for the international Vaka Eiva competition calls the Cook Islands his “second home”.
Hard work pays off for Montagot
Saturday 18 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
The Tereora College Princess Anne Hall was filled to capacity with proud parents and families as they gathered for the school’s senior prize-giving event yesterday.
Cook Islands community delivers ‘impressive setup and hospitality’ for 52nd PIF Leaders’ Meeting: A ‘very beautiful’ event
Saturday 11 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Art, Features, National, Weekend
Though leaders from the region did not agree on all the matters they discussed during this week’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, there’s one thing no one disputes: the people of the Cook Islands staged a spectacular event, writes Rachel Reeves.
Forum brings economic boom to Aitutaki
Saturday 11 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Features, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
The stunning island of Aitutaki co-hosted the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting for the second time, their first being in 2012, welcoming regional leaders this week for their retreat in the island’s picturesque lagoon.
Te Ko‘u summit biodiversity
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend
The inland mountains of Rarotonga maintain one of the most pristine tropical forests in the Central South Pacific. Gerald McCormack of Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust explains why.
Don’t hold grudges, be kind: Miitungane, 95, shares secrets to long and happy life
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki of Mitiaro, Mii Tungane Upokoati O’Bryan, embodies a vibrant and humorous spirit as she gracefully passes through her incredible journey at the age of 95. She is one of the few Cook Islands nonagenarians who bring a lively, no-nonsense, and cherished presence to our community.
Spick and span: Agencies partner to give Rarotonga a facelift for Forum
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Features, National, Weekend
It’s taken six months to get there as Rarotonga looks set to be spick and span for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
A reel deal: Participants get hooked on fun at Annual Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Fishing, Sports, Weekend
Despite unfavourable weather conditions, 74 participants took part in the popular Mama Reef Annual Bamboo Rod Fishing Competition held a week ago on Saturday, October 21.
Men’s Touch team puts faith in youth for Pacific Game
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Pacific Games 2023, Sports, Weekend
The Cook Islands open men’s touch team is gearing up for next month’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands with a squad dominated by youth.
A century of grace: Whitta credits God for her long life
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
One of the Cook Islands oldest living persons says there is no secret to long life, other than the ‘Amazing Grace of God’.
Whitta’s 100th birthday a Royal affair
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
As a delightful surprise during her 100th birthday party on Wednesday, October 25, Tepaeru Whitta nee Araitia was presented with a special birthday card from both King Charles III and the Governor General of New Zealand, courtesy of the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters.
Budding netballer steps up to the international arena
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Netball, Pacific Games 2023, Sports, Weekend
Mere-Jean Piri is set to make her Cook Islands debut as the youngest player on the national team looks forward to the Nations Cup challenge in Singapore.
Guns and roads in southwest Rarotonga
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Editorials, Environment, Features, Local, National, Opinion, Weekend
The old deserted and controversial Sheraton Hotel in Vaimaanga is getting a new lease of life after Rarotonga businessman Chris Vaile took on the challenge to redevelop the site into a high-end apartment property complete with other amenities.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
‘We felt at home’: The PNG village inspiring Cook Islands league teams
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, League, Sports, Weekend
The light rain that began to fall as Cook Islands players and staff got off their team buses told them they were in the village of their ancestors, but Toru Arakua and Crystal Tamarua didn’t realise how closely connected their families were to Hanuabada, a coastal village in Papua New Guinea. NRL.com senior reporter Brad Walter reports.
🇵🇬 PNG kids going OFF for #Fiji & #cookislands #rugbyleague stars! 🇫🇯🇨🇰 it's a religion 😍❤️ #nrl #pasifika pic.twitter.com/B3Y4tlG7nS
— 𝙋𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙆𝘼 𝙍𝙐𝙂𝘽𝙔 𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙂𝙐𝙀 (@PasifikaRL) October 18, 2023
Early detection is key: Breast cancer survivors celebrated
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known worldwide as Pink October, and the Cook Islands joined the world in raising awareness of the disease with a special event on Thursday.
Prayer for Israel: Pilgrims recount Israel-Hamas war experience
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A special prayer session for the people of Israel will be held at Terevete Park in Avarua tomorrow night. A Cook Islands couple who returned home from Israel after making it out of the war-torn country in the wake of an unprecedented attack by Hamas is calling on people to come together and pray for families that have been affected.
