Culture
Prayers and hope for loved ones in Tonga
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders who are in the dark about their families and friends in the tsunami-hit Tonga are praying and hoping they are safe.
Aitutaki’s Koni Raoni events raise close to $150k
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aitutaki’s customary Koni Raoni, a traditional exchange between villages that is held over the Christmas and New Year season, has raised an incredible $147,964.30.
Aitutaki’s Tautu village raises over $81k with Koni Raoni fundraiser
Wednesday 29 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The annual Boxing Day Koni Raoni (dance around) fundraiser event on Aitutaki on Monday has raised just over a whopping $81,000 for the host village of Tautu.
Call for voyaging knowledge to be shared
Thursday 23 December 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Culture, National
A newly formed group, Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation, aims to teach traditional wayfinding and are putting the call out to older Cook Islanders to share their voyaging knowledge.
Wellington college students embrace Cook Islands culture
Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Queen Margaret’s College in Wellington, New Zealand had their Māori and Pasifika performing arts groups, Te Whānau o Kuīni Mākareta, perform in the college hall in early November.
Condemned Victory Theatre demolished for public safety
Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The demolition of the former Victory Theatre building that had stood in a dilapidated condition for a decade was finally torn down and its rubble removed on Tuesday for the “safety of the community”.
Taonga: An Artists Activist
Monday 20 December 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National
Last Wednesday at Gallery Tavioni a special event was held with the crew of the locally made and produced film Taonga: An Artists Activist.
Christmas creative ei competition
Wednesday 15 December 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Culture, National
As a lead up to Christmas and taking advantage of the abundance of flowers on the island, the Punanga Nui Market vendors have organised an ei making competition for this Friday December 17.
Tributes flow for maine purotu
Tuesday 7 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
After a brave battle with a rare form of cancer, Kimiora Vogel, the Cook Islands’ first winner of the Miss South Pacific title in 1991, sadly passed away on Wednesday, December 1 last week at the age of 50.
Uritaua Mataiapo investiture draws objectors
Monday 6 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Objections to the investiture of a traditional Maori title in the Cook Islands has become a regular feature at installation ceremonies.
Rescuing Te Reo Maori
Saturday 27 November 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
A New Zealand-based Cook Islands academic is among an increasing number of people trying to save our language. Dr Sally Akevai Nicholas, a lecturer in Linguistics at Massey University in Auckland, has been tasked with strengthening Cook Islands Maori.
Pilot programme teaches youth art of traditional voyaging
Thursday 25 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Master navigator and captain of Vaka Marumaru Atua Peia Patai says vaka voyaging is a lost art and he wants to help revive the tradition our forefathers were renowned for.
Rarotonga celebrates 200 years of Christianity
Wednesday 27 October 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
Members from all six Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesias around Rarotonga, both young and old, gathered at Takamoa yesterday to celebrate Gospel Day and 200 Years of the Gospel reaching the country’s shores. The theme of this year’s Gospel Day celebrations was ‘Celebrate, Proclaim, and Grow in Christ - Akapaepa, Akakite, Kia Tupu i roto i te Mesia.’
Gospel Day celebrations at Takamoa
Monday 25 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
This year the Rarotonga CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) Gospel Day will be hosted by the Nikao Ekalesia at the Takamoa ground tomorrow.
A sense of pride and joy
Friday 22 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands Council of Queensland (CICQ) has held a successful Te Maeva Nui festival earlier this month, featuring 450 performers who proudly celebrated and displayed Cook Islands culture in front of thousands.
Turua appointed Secretary of Cultural Development for third term
Wednesday 20 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Anthony Turua has been appointed the Secretary of Cultural Development for a third consecutive term.
Vainetini Ekalesia to exhibit tivaevae
Saturday 11 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
An exhibition will be held next week of intricately hand sewn tivaevae, pillows, cushions and other handicrafts made by the Rarotonga Vainetini Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC).
NZ-born Cook Islands artist finds comfort in art
Saturday 14 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
New Zealand-born Cook Islands artist Sylvia Marsters has found inspiration in her own experience with depression as she prepares for her latest exhibition – Utopia – on Rarotonga.
Covid-19 fallout slices $200k off Constitution Week budget
Saturday 14 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
Covid-19 has had a significant financial impact on Te Maeva Nui celebrations held last week in Rarotonga.
Strengthening Maori connections through new cultural School
Thursday 12 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Vananga Are Tapere o Takitumu – a new Cook Islands Maori Performing Arts Language and Cultural School – was launched on the first of this month at the Pa Ariki Palace in Takitumu.
