Pacific

History repeating itself

In 1965, record numbers of scientists travelled to Manuae to witness a total solar eclipse, only to be disappointed by cloudy skies – in much the same way that astronomers were cheated by the weather on Mangaia last weekend. The Pacific Islands Monthly reported in 1965 that the Manuae eclipse brought a “black disappointment to […]

Eclipse an 'astronomer's dream'

A Czech couple reckon that Mangaia has the “best sky” they’ve seen – quite a statement coming from a student of astronomy and an eclipse photographer who have together logged more than five solar eclipses. Hana Druckmullerova and Peter Horalek said that though they weren’t able to see the eclipse clearly, they had a chance […]

Take a bow Mangaia

Mangaia might not have as much tourism experience as Rarotonga or Aitutaki, but last weekend no one could tell the difference. The Mangaian community banded together to feed, shelter and entertain over 400 eclipse-chasers nearly 2/3 of the island’s population and ended up providing much more food than the tourist appetite could handle, and loads […]

UK rugby teams here to play

The Ballycare School rugby squad from the United Kingdom will play age grade games on Rarotonga this Thursday at the Avatiu Swamp. The visiting school group includes under 15 and under 16 rugby teams that will take on two combined Avatiu-Tupapa under 16 squads. The first game between the Ballycare under 15s and the combined […]

4th win in a row

Flying Dragons 20 vs Panthers 0 Eels 33 vs Bulls 32 Cowboys 32 vs Warriors 20 A well organised Ngatangiia Flying Dragons team trounced their Tupapa Panthers opponents on Saturday 20-0 to register four wins on the trot. The Dragons’ ability to absorb pressure and then score points when the opportunities presented themselves was an […]

Tangaroa trophies for all junior tennis teams

The Nikao Tennis Centre became celebration central as tennis players from the Cook Islands, American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga were honoured for a wonderful week of junior tennis. Each regional team that took part in the week-long East Pacific Tennis Tournament was presented with a unique Cook Islands award – a Tangaroa trophy. Players also […]

Kerikeri X1 ready to play first game

Kerikeri High School’s first eleven football team will meet CIFA’s Academy team in their opening game today at the CIFA grounds in Matavera. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4.40pm. Kerikeri High will play CIFA’s Academy twice while on tour here on Rarotonga. They are also scheduled to play Tereora College First Eleven […]

Dragons firing

The Ngatangiia Flying Dragons team, under the leadership of coach/player Amene Rangi, has been one of the form teams of this year’s senior A competition and will face a winless Tupapa Panthers in today’s CITC main match of the week. With a mobile and very competitive pack led by hard working number eight Willie Kauvai […]

Under 18 tennis wins to Cook Islands

After five days of hard slog on the tennis courts, the top four East Pacific junior players have emerged in each age grade. The top four from each grade qualifies for the Pacific Oceania Junior Tennis Championships in Fiji. However, only two players can represent each country that took part in this week’s tournament – […]

Tennis action heats up

Tennis action at the Nikao Tennis Courts heated up yesterday with the start of the doubles competition. Today will also see the finals of the under 12 and under 18 boys division as well as the ranking of players in the under 12 girls, under 14 boys and girls and under 18 girls players who […]

Panthers on track after good win

In the second challenge of the Powerade trophy the Tupapa Panthers under 16 squad proved too strong for their city-cousins the Takuvaine Warriors – the Panthers winning 43-0. In this mid-week Wednesday match played at Tupapa Park, the Panthers’ eight-try effort in wet conditions proved that they are on track to retain the trophy in […]

Masters haul in the medals

Cook Islands athletes at the Oceania Masters Athletics meet are hauling in medals like they’re going out of fashion with reports of the teams current medal haul at 48 – and still more to come! On Wednesday, CISNOC sports development officer Siniva Marsters, who is with the team in Tahiti, reported that the team had […]

Come play!

Kicking off this Saturday is the Come and Play Football programme designed for children aged between five and 13. It’s based around fun football activities. This programme is set to run for six weeks and will take place every Saturday at the CIFA complex in Matavera from 9am to 11am. Come and Play Football has […]

Dragons the pick

This week’s three senior A grade rugby matches are all worthy of the ‘main match’ title with some intriguing match ups. However, the CITC main match of the week will be the clash between the Tupapa Panthers and the Ngatangiia Flying Dragons. The Dragons are possibly the hot favourites heading into this match on the […]

Top Gun and Reserve in Michigan shoot-out

Last Saturday’s Michigan Motors Shoot-out lived up to its reputation as one of the premium events on the local golf calendar. The drama started right at the first hole when Ned Howard went into the deep bunker and had trouble getting out. He finished up having to go into a shootout with Tereapii Urlich and […]

Regatta sets sail

The South Pacific Teams Sailing regatta sets sail today in Muri with the team from Aitutaki keen to defend their 2009 championship win. The regatta is between sailors from Aitutaki, Rarotonga, New Zealand and Australia. Last year Aitutaki caused the upset of the sailing season when they won the annual regatta , beating five time […]

Slow start at Golden Oldies

Friday’s golden oldies rugby match at Muri got off to a slow start at 4.50pm with Arthur Emile taking charge of the whistle just as another bunch of townies arrived by bus after the game had started. Our players of the day with the ‘Go’ spirit were Robert of the Sharks, Stephen from Happy Feet […]

Tennis off to ace start

The East Asia Pacific tennis tournament got off to a great start yesterday with competitors from the Cook Islands, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga taking to the courts for the first day of competition. The tournament was declared open by Cabinet Minister Wilkie Rasmussen before the competition got going. The under 12 boys headed up […]

18 Optimists blessed for training

Sponsors input recognised with nu cracking ceremony Junior sailors raced around Muri lagoon on Saturday before their fibreglass Optimist yachts were lined on the beach for the official blessing of the refurbished craft. The Rarotonga Sailing Club invited their sponsors for the event where they were told by club vice president Peter Heays that their […]

Tennis tourney off to top start