Culture
Cultural groups gear up for spectacular Te Maeva Nui
Saturday 27 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
The annual Te Maeva Nui is Cook Islands’ biggest and greatest cultural performing arts festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage and traditions of its people in commemoration of the country’s self-governance in 1965.
Te Ra O Te Ui Ariki focuses on keeping traditional titles out of court
Saturday 6 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National
Te Ra O Te Ui Ariki, a public holiday celebrated on the first Friday of July every year, pays tribute to the Ui Ariki, and Aronga Mana (traditional leaders) of the Cook Islands.
Clash of opinions on Cook Islands Māori language
Thursday 4 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, National
The Mapu Taurekareka O Nikao, Pa Enua, Rangiatea Matavera, and Vaka Puaikura teams presented vigorous ‘akatika’ (For) and pātoi (Against) sentiments in the 'Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani debate competition on Wednesday.
Tatau, tatā and tuatua Māori - read, write and speak
Wednesday 3 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Education, Features, National
Tauranga Vananga Minister George “Maggie” Angene has called on Members of Parliament to do their part in preserving reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani by speaking the language during Parliament sittings.
11-year-old urges community to embrace reo Māori at Cook Islands Language Week
Tuesday 2 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National
Language starts at home was the powerful message delivered distinctly in reo Māori by 11-year-old Inano Urirau on day one of the 'Epetoma ō te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week yesterday.
$250k FestPAC investment ‘money well spent’ on culture, says Kairua
Wednesday 26 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
Cook Islands’ budget for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), which wrapped up in Honolulu, Hawaii over a week ago, was around a quarter of a million dollars.
Tereora College’s Anau Ikurangi wins secondary schools Tangi Ka’ara competition
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National
The powerful rhythms of the tangi ka’ara traditional drums reverberated through Te Are Karioi as college students across Rarotonga showcased their mastery of drumming techniques, thrilling the audience on Friday night.
Tereora, Titikaveka vie for Tangi Ka’ara title
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
A group of enthusiastic Api’i Tuarua secondary school students will perform in tonight’s highly anticipated CITC Pump the Beats Emo’anga Tangi Ka’ara Drumming Competition at the National Auditorium.
PM Brown expresses optimism for Cook Islands’ 2032 FestPAC bid
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands government is keeping its fingers crossed as it awaits the decision of the Pacific Arts Council regarding the host of the 2032 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.
‘World’s largest family reunion’ ends with joyous closing ceremony
Monday 17 June 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Culture, National, Regional
After 10 days of culture, tradition, and kinship, the “world’s largest family reunion” and celebration of indigenous Pacific culture came to an end, with a poignant but low-key closing ceremony in Hawai’i, last night.
Cultural clash at FestPAC: Respected female carver excluded due to gender protocol
Wednesday 12 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Culture, Editor's Pick, Entertainment, Features, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
A respected female Cook Islands carver, Awhitia Tavioni, was excluded from the official carving area at the 13th Pacific Arts Festival and Culture in Hawai’i due to a local kapu (rule) against women carvers, sparking a debate about cultural protocols and gender equality.
‘Strengthen our culture … Not cut and paste from New Zealand’
Tuesday 11 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Culture, Education, Features, National
“Strengthen our culture” was the message of the 19-year-old Cook Islander Nicolea Mateariki at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) Young Pacific Leaders sessions in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Cook Islands crafts fly off shelves at FestPAC, weavers replenish stocks
Monday 10 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National
The Cook Islands huts at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) are proving popular, with most crafts selling out on Friday, the first day of the Festival Village at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu.
Cook Islands community in Hawaii thrilled to reconnect with delegation
Wednesday 5 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Entertainment, Features, National
The Cook Islands community in Hawai’i is enjoying the cherished opportunity to reconnect with families and friends, while also making new connections with the visiting Cook Islands delegation. Melina Etches reports from Honolulu.
Community celebrates as Pepeu Makirai Aliki takes the helm in Pukapuka
Thursday 30 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
Pepeu Makirai Aliki, Makirai Henry, was invested as the new Aliki of Pukapuka/Te Ulu o Te Watu yesterday morning, with the support of the entire community including neighbouring Nassau.
Honouring her cultural heritage
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, Go Local, National
To honour her cultural heritage, rising elite athlete and Cook Islander Tiana Baker Echegaray has chosen a uniquely designed and Polynesian-inspired logo for her promotional apparel.
Atiu Tīvaivai Exhibit showcases generations of craft and culture
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Features, Go Local, Local, National, Outer Islands
An exhibit in Atiu showcases the traditional craft of tivaivai, hand-stitched quilts made by women, with efforts to keep the art alive amongst younger generations.
Highland Paradise Competition fights to keep traditions alive
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Culture, Education, Features, Food, Go Local, National
Apii Arorangi was crowned the overall winners of the 2024 Highland Paradise Cultural Competition held on Thursday.
Rarotonga, Honolulu to establish sister-city relationship, says PM
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
As leader of the Cook Islands delegation, Prime Minister Mark Brown will be travelling to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) in Hawai’i next month.
Traditional chants and languages get a boost from local Arts Trust
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National
The preservation of Cook Islands cultural heritage and identity is a top priority for passionate and dedicated Cook Islanders who are committed to safeguarding customs and arts for future generations.
