Feature - The dwindling population of the southern most island in the Cook Islands group has tripled this past week as Mangaians return home to celebrate two hundred years of Christianity.
Rain forced Mangaia School to huddle its students indoors for their leadership induction programme on Friday, but the ceremony went ahead after two weather-related postponements.
The colossal amount of around $1 million has been raised for the island of Mangaia’s Te Arikianga o te Evangelia, the Arrival of the Gospel Bicentennial commemoration festivities that will be held this coming June.
An education researcher says NCEA pass rates in the Cook Islands and Niue will 'fall through the floor' if literacy and numeracy tests become compulsory in 2026.