U12 Mix action last week between Avatiu and Matavera-Ngatangiia. CIFA MEDIA/24091704 The excitement builds at the CIFA Complex today as the grassroots teams take the field for their Round 9 fixtures. Starting at 4:15pm, the under-6, U8, U10 and U12 mixed teams are expected to bring their talent and enthusiasm to the pitch. Family, friends, and football supporters are all encouraged to come out and cheer on the next generation of footballers! In the U6 mixed category, Puaikura will face Tupapa Maraerenga in what promises to be a fun and energetic match. In the U8, U10 and U12 mixed divisions, Nikao Sokattak will battle it out with Puaikura, Tupapa Maraerenga takes on Avatiu and Titikaveka will challenge Matavera-Ngatangiia in a series of thrilling contests. Following the grassroots action, the U18 Men’s match between Nikao Sokattak and Puaikura will kick off at 4:50pm. Nikao Sokattak, finding their form, will aim...

Roland Neururer, holding the trophy, and Jason Moorfield won the overall Cook Islands Triathlon Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge, setting a new course record of 4:32:46 hours. They are pictured with ladies’ division winner Kelly Pick, far right, and Adrianna Skurosz, who also set a new record of 4:53:10 hours. CITAI/24091625 The Cook Islands Triathlon Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge saw a thrilling victory for experienced triathletes Roland Neururer and Jason Moorfield, who set a new course record. The weather on Saturday was almost perfect for the Cook Islands Triathlon Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge which was being held for the fourth consecutive year. Six teams of two people lined up on the beach in front of Enua Manea Hall and at 8am prompt the epic day started. A favourable current and brisk tailwind combined to give fast paddling conditions for the 5.7 kilometre Stand Up Paddle Board section of the race. ...

Cook Islands netball team at the official opening ceremony of the Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier Oceania at the National Sports Arena yesterday. MELINA ETCHES/24091635 Netball Cook Islands is proudly hosting the 2024 Netball World Youth Cup Oceania Qualifier from September 16-21 in collaboration with the Oceania Netball federation. Ngere Puia, president of Netball Cook Islands, welcomed the teams from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, at the opening ceremony yesterday held at the National Sports Arena. Ngere Puia, Netball Cook Islands president, addresses the crowd at the official opening of the Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier Oceania. MELINA ETCHES/24091640 These five teams are participating in this regional qualifier, with the top side heading to the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. Puia says the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga are all vying for a spot in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025....

I thank Ms Alex (Herman) for her reply to my previous letter regarding DSM (Deep Sea Mining) or SBM (Sea Bed Mining) which is what some are hoping to do in our EEZ. As for the 2023 consultation, I know I was there because I was providing transport for the National Geographic team. The options mentioned in my previous letter is what I recall. I also recall our PM joking around that he hoped people will vote him in again, so he can be there when we actually begin harvesting (aka mining). In regards to dark oxygen production, the group of research scientists were employed by a mining company to look into the unknown subject of deep sea mining. It took them about 10 years to come up with their report. And it took them this long because they had to double check their results. No longer able to...

The post Kata: Seabed minerals conference appeared first on Cook Islands News. RPT

Thomas Wynne. For the many at home who keep the fires burning, who keep the economy going, and who maintain the family homes and land – clean, trimmed, and functioning – I just want to say meitaki maata, meitaki ranuinui, atupaka, korereka, ngao, and atawai wolo, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne. Without you, who stay and work despite the many frustrations and joys, we would not have the home that so many often return to, and for those like myself, a home we look to return to for good – when that door finally opens again. A’i ka – it is the cultural concept for us as Māori, and for many other peoples, of those dedicated few who keep the home fires burning. Who stay where the fire is, at the place we call home. They stoke that fire, chopping and collecting wood, making sure there is always enough, while...

A previous protest by the Cook Islands community against industrial fishing licences for the purse seine fishery in 2016. TIS/24091323 The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Commissioner appears to be under the false impression that foreign interests are interfering in our domestic issues in regards to the rally against deep seabed mining (DSM). She recently stated, for example, that people from Greenpeace have arrived on the island last week, ahead of the Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC). This is news to us! We can assure the Commissioner that this campaign and peaceful protest planned for Wednesday, September 18, is a 100 per cent home grown movement against the push forward for deep seabed mining.  We are aware that one lone Greenpeace representative, who is a New Zealand-based Cook Islander, is planning to be here for the UMC. This is after all an international conference, with many people representing different views on...

Linda Kavelin-Popov. Are you a community leader, a counsellor, police or probation officer, teacher, orametua, physician or nurse? Are you one of the frontline folks who help paddle the vaka of social services in our Cook Islands community? writes Linda Kavelin-Popov. A retreat and workshop is being held on Aitutaki on Monday and Tuesday September 23 and 24 at Resort Tava’e from 8am to 3pm. It’s called “Help for the Helpers” and addresses how to balance sacrificial service with radical self-care. It offers a certificate for those attending the two days, as well as professional development credit. It will be an experiential, interactive retreat to fill your cup and sharpen your skills. Offered by Solutions Cook Islands, funded kindly by the Social Impact Fund, it is completely free, and offers breakfast and lunch buffets both days. It is also a first step to becoming a Virtues Project Facilitator. Main...

CITC staff conducted a more extensive campaign, spending hours cleaning both inland and coastal areas of the town area. TALAIA MIKA/24091316 Rarotonga residents, including children and workers from the private and public sector, took time off school and work to participate in the National Environment Service Clean up the Cook Islands Day yesterday. Several companies, resorts and schools organised clean-up walk on their properties and nearby areas, while CITC staff conducted a more extensive campaign, spending hours cleaning both inland and coastal areas of the town area. CITC food group marketing and advertising coordinator, Esther Heather said although it was difficult getting staff out of their working hours to volunteer, close to 50 divided into two groups, managed to participate. Heather explained that the most littering was found at the national port and on the beach side of the town area. She said the town area had less rubbish...

The Mauke community hosted a farewell lunch for former New Zealand high commissioner Tūī Dewes last month. SUPPLIED/24091011 Cook Islands last week bid farewell to Tūī Dewes, the former Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, who completed a four-year term on September 6, 2024. In an interview with senior journalist Melina Etches, Dewes reflects on her achievements and contributions, shared interests and enhancing Māori-to-Māori ties. Cook Islands last week bid farewell to Tūī Dewes, the former Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, who completed a four-year term on September 6, 2024. In an interview with senior journalist Melina Etches, Dewes reflects on her achievements and contributions, shared interests and enhancing Māori-to-Māori ties. To continue reading this article and to support our journalism CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOWfor as little as $11 per month. – Up to date and breaking news – Includes access...