Culture
Setting sail for a sustainable future
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thirty years ago, vaka from across the Pacific and the islands of the Cook Islands sailed to Rarotonga for the 1992 Pacific Festival of Arts. Yesterday, Te Mana O Te Vaka canoe building project blessed nine locally carved vaka at Avarua Harbour, embarking on a new journey of cultural revival and sustainable livelihood.
Workshop to ‘scope’ Cook Islands’ World Heritage status
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development and the Government of Australia have engaged a specialist to conduct a scoping on the status of World Heritage in the Cook Islands.
Koutu Nui welcomes reduction in Land Court fees, brochures
Wednesday 15 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Culture, Local, National
Te Koutu Nui, the group comprising Cook Islands sub-chiefs, has welcomed the reduction in Land Court fees announced by the Ministry of Justice earlier this month.
Vaka building project canoes to be launched on Thursday
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Mana o te Vaka boat building and sailing project will launch nine single-hull dugout canoes at Avarua harbour this Thursday at 4pm.
‘Seafood rich’ Takutea harvested and shared amongst Atiu residents
Friday 10 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National, Outer Islands
The people of Atiu shared the bounty of the seas and land following a rare harvest of seafood rich Takutea island late last month.
Vaka Paikea to get whale art as tribute to legendary Maori ancestor and his journey
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
According to Māori legend, Paikea, a great fisherman from the island of Mauke who gets lost at sea, landed on Aotearoa New Zealand on the back of a whale many centuries ago.
Commemorating Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
February 6, marks the day Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi or Te Tiriti, was signed in 1840.
New Ombudsman looking to form human rights institute
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute.
Major support in bid to repeal anti-gay laws
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
A Cook Islands-based organisation that supports LGBTQI rights is welcoming the calls from Pope Francis to decriminalise homosexuality and calling on the Cook Islands Government to follow suit.
Preserving Cook Islands culture
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands performing arts classes are starting next week to give children the opportunity to identify with their heritage in a nurtured, cultural environment.
New Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members receive their warrants
Sunday 5 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members were presented with their new three-year warrants by the Minister of Tauranga Vananga, George (Maggie) Angene on Friday.
Vaka project reaches halfway mark
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The art of building a canoe from tree logs is rarely seen, however, in a bid to revive the traditional practice, last September, Te Mana O Te Vaka boat building and sailing project was launched. Now the head of the project plans a traditional canoeing race and vaka fishing competition to bring his vision to life.
Haircutting ceremony symbolic of transition from Junior to Open Badminton
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Badminton, Culture, National, Sports
Oceania boasts a wide range of vibrant cultures with unique traditions and values. Recently, this was highlighted by Emanuela Mataio (a badminton player from the Cook Islands) who underwent a haircutting ceremony – a rite of passage for young boys which takes place in front of friends and family.
Cook Islands represented in Pasifika Village opening in NZ
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders were among 1500 people who attended the momentous opening ceremony of the K’aute Pasifika Village in Aotearoa New Zealand earlier this week.
Engaging youth in church
Tuesday 17 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The declining numbers of Catholics in the Cook Islands is one of the several issues facing the church which needs urgent attention.
Protecting Maori culture
Wednesday 11 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Mangaia is steeped in legend and mystical charm. Estimated at 18 million years old, it is one of the oldest islands in the Pacific.
Aitutaki’s Oire Reureu raises $69,000 from annual Koni Raoni
Friday 30 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Features, Local, National, Outer Islands
Oire Reureu has raised a whopping $69,000 in the popular annual Koni Raoni festive celebrations held on Boxing Day on the island of Aitutaki.
JP adjourns sentencing after probation recommends jail
Saturday 17 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Culture, National
A man who breached his probation orders on multiple occasions has been given a week’s reprieve while a Justice of the Peace considers whether he should go to jail.
New Zealand funded ‘Tivaivai Taorei Revival Project’ proves successful
Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
The New Zealand High Commission funded “Tivaivai Taorei Revival Project” to teach women and girls the fading intricate artwork skills, has proven to be a success.
Sharing the gift of music
Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Motivated to leave a legacy behind, the ambitious, vivacious and talented recording artist, Cook Islander Vaniva Tixier has released six albums of CD’s all in one hit.
