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.
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.
When 242 Cook Island and Niuean students sat new literacy and numeracy tests in June, 18 percent passed reading, 45 percent passed writing, and 23 percent passed numeracy.
When 242 Cook Islands and Niuean students sat new literacy and numeracy tests in June, 18 percent passed reading, 45 percent passed writing, and 23 percent passed numeracy.