Culture
Vaka Marumaru Atua sets direct course for Hawaii
Thursday 18 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Travel
Vaka Marumaru Atua will skip Tahiti and sail directly to Hawaii with a youth crew to attend the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu in June.
Akava’ine to take centre stage as Miss Thunderhips strikes back!
Thursday 18 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National
After a decade-long break, the electrifying Miss Thunderhips dance competition is back with a thunderous bang and taking to the stage tomorrow night at Te Are Kariori Domes for the Anuanua festival celebrations.
New clerk pledges to learn and serve
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Dr Tuaine Unuia has hit the ground running in his new role as the O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of the House of Ariki) earlier this week, welcomed by members of Te Are Ariki.
Atupare Marae welcomes new shelter, Maori King for ocean initiative
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National
Tui Dewes, Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, had the honour of opening the new Taupare for Atupare Marae, alongside the Minister for Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development, George “Maggie” Angene, last week.
Aitutaki’s Ngatamariki ready for Te Mire Atu debut
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National
Corina Mose Ngatamariki from Aitutaki is “excited” to be competing in tonight’s Te Mire Atu composer’s competition at The Edgewater Resort for the first time.
Chinese teacher shares Spring Festival cheer in Rarotonga
Monday 12 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Culture, National
Saturday, February 10, marked the beginning of the most significant date on the Chinese Calendar: Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
Heather invested as new Tamakeu Mataiapo
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Joseph Heather was invested as the new Tamakeu Mataiapo of Teimurimotia, a traditional title also held by his late mother Puretu a Tangiiau Api Heather, in a ceremony attended by hundreds and marked by cultural significance.
Ngati Tangiiau akataoanga Rangatira
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Ngati Tangiiau chiefly tribe of Takitumu have gathered at Te Tu’ukura Marae in Turangi, Ngatangiia for the peaceful “akataoanga” traditional investiture of Maui Rangatira – Justine Matatoa Flanagan and Te Pa’u Tangi o Tangiiau Rangatira – Teremoana Peter Tamariki Monga.
Kairua appointed Secretary of Cultural Development
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by webmaster | Published in Culture, Economy, National
A new Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Development has been appointed following Anthony Turua’s resignation late last year.
Juvenile crime spikes, NGO calls for parents to step up
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Culture, Education, Local, National
Cook Islands NGO Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau is calling on parents to re-engage with their children following recent police investigations into a 13-year-old involved in burglary and other offences.
Cook Islands prepares for Festival of Pacific Arts 2024 with 100-strong delegation
Friday 12 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
Cultural experts Mark Short and his partner Jane Rubena will be leading the Cook Islands Performing Dance Troupe to the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) which will convene in Honolulu, Hawaii, from June 6 to 16 this year.
Thesis explores island rhythms: Research documents Cook Islands dance traditions and transformations
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National
Dance and music have long been cherished as a vital part of Cook Islands cultural expression. Now, a new thesis, “Cook Islands Dance Oral History – Embodied Expressive Culture of the Cook Islands: Encounters, Change and Artistic Mobility”, offers a comprehensive exploration of their creation and performance.
Cultural advisor urges action to save Cook Islands Māori language
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Cook Islands Māori language and traditions are gradually disappearing and must be addressed to ensure the foundations and the knowledge of ‘who we are’ thrives for future generations, says Cook Islands cultural advisor, Tumu Korero, Raemaki Temaeva Karati.
Ngāti Maoate tribe honours Samoan heritage with land gift
Thursday 16 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Ngāti Maoate tribe, who have close blood ties to the Mata’afa line of Samoa, have gifted land to the Samoan community on Rarotonga.
Theft or fraud offences?: Judge to rule on charges in high-profile corruption trial
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
A question of theft and fraud still remains among delays hampering the outcome of a high-profile corruption trial involving a suspended Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior public servants.
New digitising kits to preserve and promote Cook Islands history and culture
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thanks to the introduction of new digitising kits, Cook Islands history and culture can now be preserved and promoted, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to explore and understand them.
Mitiaro’s Te Maeva Nui NZ performing arts team visits homeland for the first time
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
The members of the Mitiaro performing arts team, which performed at Te Maeva Nui New Zealand in Auckland last weekend, are in the country visiting their motherland for the first time.
Cook Islands cultural heritage comes alive at Te Maeva Nui festival in Auckland
Friday 29 September 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Culture, National
The biggest cultural event on the Cook Islands’ calendar, Te Maeva Nui, is being celebrated in Auckland this weekend. Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific reports.
Tou Travel Ariki re-elected president of Te Are Ariki
Friday 29 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Kaumaiti Nui, Tou Travel Ariki, has been re-elected as president of Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki) for another four-year term. This will be his last term in the role.
Te Are Ariki - moving forward
Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki) three-day annual general meeting which also includes the attendance of the Ariki vaatuatua or kauono (speakers), is underway at Parliament House.
