On April 14th members of the Cook Islands rainbow community assembled at parliament with colourful flags and cautious optimism. It turned out to be the day they’d been working toward for the last twelve years. Parliament removed laws prohibiting consensual sex between men, striking out sections of the Crimes Act that had been on the books since the turn of the 20th century.
Far, far away from home, the lonely grave of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) World War I heroine Ettie Annie Rout is no longer forgotten.
Cook Island Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Mark Brown met with the Ambassador for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to New Zealand and the Cook Islands, His Excellency, Wang Xiaolong in Rarotonga yesterday.
Cook Islands people have come to the aid of New Zealand as Operation Tauturu Aotearoa has raised more than $50,000 to assist those in need following the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Tui Mauke o Araura families of Aitutaki held a successful Ambrose Gold Day fundraiser last week raising over $8000 for the upcoming Commemoration of the Gospel Bicentennial celebrations.