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Summer photo competition - 3
A Day Made Better by Mrs K
Pohnpei fishery body recruits Cook Islander
Healthy shakes, salads and smoothies
Swiss chef starts mobile service
‘It’s okay to be soft and hard’
USP’s MBA course ranked 15th for quality
Go Gaga at H Factor tonight
Musical Maoate family taking the stage
Carved trophy for winner
Summer photo competition - 2
Summer photo competition - 1
Summer photo competition - 3
Sat
4 Feb
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Baby Samuel Ahiao Jr rolls around in the sand at the Blackrock beach.
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These images are a selection from over 60 photos received over the last seven days – the last week of the Cook Islands News Memories of Summer Photo Competition sponsored by CIPS Image & Copy Centre.
Next Saturday we’ll announce the overall winner of the major prize – a brand new Nikon1 J1 camera. We will also publish the best of the best photos from more than 200 images received for the competition.
Summer photo competition
- 2; Summer photo
competition - 1
Previous weeks: (Week 1 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 2 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 3 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 4 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 5 - Summer
photo competition)
An underwater photo of Teiva Maui taken by Karliean Mataroa at a beach in Vaiimaanga.
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Heinarii Tauira and her uncle Papio swim in the swamp after working in Papa Zorro’s taro patch.
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Mang! That’s what’s for dinner! Photo by Jackie Rongo.
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Richard Story IN Aitutaki sent in this photo of his daughters Tiare Alice and Terito Story giving the Aitutaki Hatchery turtle Nukunuku a scrub down and swimming lessons.
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Misepa Isamaela snorkelling at One Foot Island in Aitutaki.
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Fenty Kurnia snorkelling with fish at an Arorangi beach.
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This beautiful and thriving paua garden is all thanks to the Aitutaki Marine Resources team.
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Ian Wheeldon snapped this shot of Jasmin Naslund enjoying a snowy day at the beach.
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Te Uki Ou student Elliot Weir meets an orang-utan family at the Singapore zoo.
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The Cook Islands’ next top models (from left) Tokoa Arioka, Moari Arioka, Heinarii Tauira and Edwin Tauira pose for the camera before heading to weed the rubbish at the taro patch. This photo was entered in our Memories of Summer photo competition.
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Surf and turf baby! Baby Merina Puretu Kamana photographed at Blackrock.
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Tarita Hutchinson took this photo of her 18-month old nephew Luca Thompson on Muri beach in his mini Santa suit.
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A Day Made Better by Mrs K
Sat
4 Feb
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Wakaaranga Primary School teacher Amy Holder was nominated for OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better programme by principal Brent Jenkin for making a huge difference at the school. Photo Fairfax
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Mrs K at home in her new Te Uki Ou classroom.
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She’s too humble to talk much about it, but just last year Te Uki Ou’s newest teacher won a national award in New Zealand for demonstrating passion and dedication to education.
Amy Koekemoer (nee Holder) – ‘Mrs K’ to her year four and five students – was recognised by OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better programme for building up her Wakaaranga Primary School kids after they suffered the shock of losing an ill classmate.
“The class was a mess, and I just tried my best to build them back up,” she said of the experience. She became so close with her students that most of them ended up attending her wedding, and for her effort and dedication she was awarded a certificate, $1000 worth of arts and crafts stationery, a digital camera and a bouquet of flowers.
Just weeks later Amy and her husband, South African Brett Koekemoer, honeymooned in Rarotonga.
Amy was already familiar with the island, as her grandparents had moved to Arorangi when she was young and she fondly recalled family holidays to the Cook Islands. (Her grandfather is Barry Hill, who founded Dive Raro and volunteers as chief of the Puaikura Fire Brigade.)
“We came as kids and I always loved it,” Amy says. “We came for our honeymoon and my husband loved it, too. We even went to (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and) Immigration on our honeymoon.”
Moving to Rarotonga had always been at the back of her mind – three years ago she contacted then-principal of Te Uki Ou Jason Ataera about a job, but when Brett found work in New Zealand she chose to stay in Auckland.
Still, she remembers itching to escape the Auckland traffic, to take life a bit slower and re-organise her priorities.
“So when we got married and came for a visit I said, if you like it how about we move?” Amy recalls.
He agreed, and just a couple of weeks ago Amy moved to Rarotonga with her husband and her baby-to-be – she’s due in July and intends to have the baby here.
She looks forward to spending more time with Brett, who in New Zealand was working long hours and six days a week.
“Plus we just thought it would be better to bring a baby into this environment,” she said.
She looks forward to getting back into netball, swimming and touch rugby once she’s given birth, but for now is just enjoying the view from Te Uki Ou.
Mrs K’s contract is for two years, and when it expires she has the option to renew.
Pohnpei fishery body recruits Cook Islander
Sat
4 Feb
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Doctor Lara Manarangi-Trott, with husband James Wichman and baby Aria, has taken on a new role with the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in the Federated States of Micronesia.
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The appointment of Dr Lara Manarangi-Trott as compliance manager for the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Pohnpei continues the tradition of Cook Islanders being well represented at regional fisheries management organisations.
A home-grown girl, Lara is the daughter of Owen and Teresa Manarangi-Trott, current president of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Lara will be accompanied to Pohnpei with her husband James Wichman and their five-month-old daughter Aria.
Prior to her appointment, Manarangi-Trott served for six years with the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) based in Honiara, where she coordinated and delivered advice to Pacific Island countries in regional tuna fisheries management.
For a brief term, she was the interim deputy director.
The WCPFC, or tuna commission as it is commonly known, is the peak body responsible for managing fish stocks in the western half of the Pacific.
The organisation has the daunting task of finding consensus on sustainable management of these stocks amongst its 25 commission members who include small islands Pacific states as well as some of the most powerful foreign fishing nations.
The mission of the tuna commission has become more urgent and paramount as fish stocks around the world dwindle due to overfishing, while demand for fish products has increased.
Fishing effort is now turned to the Pacific where the last major healthy stocks of tuna fisheries are found.
“The commission has a hugely challenging task but is exciting,” Manarangi-Trott said.
“My role as compliance manager is to oversee the monitoring, control and surveillance activities to combat illegal fishing and put in place the reporting systems for verifying that all commission members are meeting the commitments they have agreed to.
“The role also involves supporting the management and enforcement of measures”.
Manarangi-Trott completed a bachelor of science with first class honours in marine biological environments at the University of New South Wales, Australia.
She returned to work with the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources as a fisheries officer.
Her outstanding qualifications enabled her to return to Australia and gain direct access to PhD studies which she embarked upon at the University of Wollongong.
There, Manarangi-Trott wrote a thesis that examined and analysed the legal frameworks governing regional fisheries management organisations and the important role that small Pacific Island countries, like the Cook Islands, play in the conservation and management of tuna stocks.
Ben Ponia, secretary of the Ministry of Marine Resources, said the Cook Islands should take pride in Manarangi-Trott’s appointment at WCPFC.
“It is a credit to the Cook Islands and to government that MMR staff with such high calibre have come through the ministries ranks and gone on to serve the region with distinction,” Ponia said.
“Lara is well aware of the Cook Islands fisheries aspirations and has always been available to provide guidance to the MMR. Lara is effectively taking over as second in command of the organisation and the most demanding task of the tuna commission, so we are very proud of her success.”
Manarangi-Trott arrives into Pohnpei shortly after another Cook Islander, Pasha Carruthers, who has recently taken up a regional climate change position with the northern SPC office in Pohnpei.
The Manarangi-Trott/Wichman family are now experienced travellers and use to relocation around the Pacific.
Although it will be a long journey to Pohnpei, but husband James jokes that they are used to the travelling and “all set and ready to go for the next big move”.
James is looking forward to continuing his passion as a chef, as well as enjoying the fishing and diving.
The Manarangi-Trott/Wichman family have been back in Rarotonga since last Friday and depart today.
Healthy shakes, salads and smoothies
Sat
4 Feb
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Veronica Manavaroa of Juicee holds up some of the new juice bar’s specialties. /
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People who have been swept up in the Fitness Revolution – and those who are looking for something to take the edge off the summer heat – are welcoming Rarotonga’s newest juice and salad bar at Manu Manor.
Located on the Tupapa side of town, Juicee offers fresh, healthy alternatives to heavy, greasy takeaway lunches.
Caroline Rennie opened Juicee this week, not one month after closing Dockside Burgers, which she ran for four years.
And even though she’s moved into fresh and healthy foods, the Dockside legacy lives on at Juicee – Rennie says the demand is too high to stop making her famous buttery garlic chips.
But Juicee focuses primarily on fresh-squeezed juices, slushees, shakes and smoothies.
Rennie was making smoothies at Dockside, so says that through a process of trial and error has learned what people like.
Her smoothies incorporate fruit and coconut mik and her slushees are cold concoctions of nu, ice and a customer’s fruit of choice, blended together and poured into a coconut shell.
“There’s none of the added sugar – it’s still yummy, just not as sweet and sugary,” she said.
All fruit is local and ‘straight from the ground’, Rennie says, enabling her to keep prices down.
She adds that the health benefits of fruit are myriad.
“It’s quite amazing, really,” she said. “One nu has the electrolytes of 15 Gatorades. It used to be used in an IV – it’s the only natural fluid you can put directly into your bloodstream. And it keeps you hydrated better than water.”
For those who want a system cleanse, Juicee’s menu includes wheatgrass shots, detox juices and protein shakes.
Juicee also does light, healthy salads dressed with homemade sauces, ranging from tandoori chicken with coriander-yoghurt dressing to chicken with a mango-avocado salsa.
“Nothing comes out of a bottle or jar – we use all homemade sauces and no artificial flavours,” Rennie said.
Juicee is open from 10am to 3pm Monday through Friday. Rennie says if enough businesses express interest, she might consider delivering custom orders.
Swiss chef starts mobile service
Sat
4 Feb
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Christina Maoate enjoying Alberto’s Swiss fondue.
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For those who can’t decide whether to eat out or dine in, there’s a happy medium – a new service provided by Swiss chef Alberto Bachmann.
Bachmann is Rarotonga’s resident ‘Dial-A-Chef’ – available for house calls and private parties. The idea is that the host provides plates, cutlery and a place to eat, and Bachmann brings and cooks the food.
Though he does accept custom orders, his menu is probably too appealing to pass up – starters include creamy tomato basil soup, garden salads and shrimp cocktails, and his mains ribeye steak, beef tenderloin with hollandaise, barnaise and green pepper sauce, tiger prawns, barbecue plates and Spanish national dish paella.
Still, if a client requests an off-the-menu dish, Bachmann is confident he’ll know how to make it.
“I’m sure we can fix it up – we’re artists, we’re chefs, you know?” he said.
A Swiss national, Bachmann specialises in fondue of all varieties – cheese fondue cooked with white wine, garlic and Kirsch; Chinese fondue featuring garlic mayo, curry mayo, tartare sauce and sweet and sour chilli sauce; Neptune fondue for seafood lovers; chocolate fondue for dipping marshmallows, biscuits and fruit.
“The Swiss don’t eat cheese fondue in the summertime, but here they love it even in the heat!” Bachmann said of his cheesy fondue.
Though he uses New Zealand cheeses rather than Swiss cheeses, his fondue is still more than acceptable to his Swiss taste buds.
Bachmann, former owner of Alberto’s – the Arorangi restaurant which still bears his namesake – has resided in Rarotonga since 1992.
Born on Lake Zurich, he comes from a family of Swiss chefs. His culinary career has spanned decades and oceans – he attended chef’s school in Switzerland, worked at Charlet Suisse Restaurant in Spain, cooked for a Toronto businessman as his private chef, owned ‘Restaurant Bon Appetite’ in American Samoa, made pastries for Francis Garnier, worked as a chef for Oasis Restaurant, owned a restaurant at Cook’s Corner and then later established Alberto’s.
Bachmann sold Alberto’s in 2001 and spent the last 10 years entertaining tourists aboard Hotel California.
Now he’s looking for a change. He’s back in the kitchen – but this time, yours.
The ‘Dial A Chef’ cooks for minimum of four people and a maximum of 10. To book him, email alberto@oyster.net.ck or ring him on 52298.
He is available for dinner most days of the week.
‘It’s okay to be soft and hard’
Sat
4 Feb
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Dr Peter Faga Loresio Mario settling into USP Cook Islands.
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Dr Peter Faga Loresio Mario is in Rarotonga for the next four weeks, with a double-pronged goal – his primary purpose is to teach a human resources course to Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) students, but he’s also trying to sell his students on the benefits of going further and earning a doctorate of business administration.
Dr Mario, a visiting lecturer from USP Fiji, was the first Fijian to earn a doctoral degree in business administration (DBA). He brings to the table his qualifications – which also include a Master’s of management and a postgraduate certificate and diploma in human resource management – and years of work experience as a fund manager and general manager of Fiji Reinsurance Corporation Limited and Unit Trust of Fiji (Management) Limited.
He has taught a marketing course at USP Cook Islands before, and has also taught MBA courses in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
But this month he is in Rarotonga, teaching 25 postgraduate students about human resource management, and notes that the majority of them are female.
“They have years of experience but are hungry and thirsty to know more, to relate theory and practice,” he said.
He has the cultural insight to tell Pacific students in human resources that it’s “okay to be soft and hard”.
Dr Mario believes there are “too many ‘yes’ people in the Pacific”.
“We can be soft and hard, Pacific Islanders and businesspeople. We can make difficult decisions. The chiefs were nice to people but could tell others to bugger off – this is not something foreign or new to us. Good chiefs punished people because they cared for them,” he said.
Human resource management is just one component of USP’s MBA degree, which recently was ranked 15th in the region. Dr Mario applauded the quality of the programme, and the gumption of the Cook Islanders completing it.
“To me it all helps with the speeding up of the development of the Cook Islands economy. And the programme just started four years ago – five to 10 years from now it will be a different (country),” he said.
Dr Mario is encouraging his MBA students to go even further and study for a DBA. He believes his DBA degree from Southern Cross University gives him a leg up as a lecturer.
“Having had experience in Fiji and as a Pacific Islander I believe I have a lot to offer Pacific Islanders – I can say, if I can do it you can too,” he said.
USP Cook Islands director Rod Dixon noted that a major concern at this week’s roundtable was that there is a “lack of capacity to implement”, and points out that the DBA is “practical for high-level executives”.
Whereas a PhD is theoretical and ideal for those who aspire to be lecturers and academics, a DBA is hands-on and more applicable to working professionals.
“It’s the icing on the cake,” Dr Mario said.He says Cook Islanders should not be concerned about becoming over-qualified.
“I don’t agree with that view that you can be over-qualified – you could be a community leader or an MP, but with a DBA you have better training and can be a better leader,” he said.
USP’s MBA course ranked 15th for quality
Sat
4 Feb
The Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) programme at the University of the South Pacific has been ranked 15th in the region for quality.
International rating agency Eduniversal recently published its 1000 choices for best business schools in the world. Their ranking is based on three criterias – the programme’s reputation, career prospects and salary levels after graduation and student satisfaction.
Ratings range from one to five ‘Palmes’ – schools like the Harvard and Yale Business Schools fall into the highest range with five Palmes. For the Australia, New Zealand and Oceania region, the ratings agency has chosen the top 20 MBA programmes.
USP won 15th with a rating of “3 Palmes Excellent Business School” – the same as that of AUT University, University of Adelaide and Victoria University.
Sixty-seven Cook Islanders have earned MBA degrees from USP since the university started offering the programme four years ago.
“With 67 Cook Islanders having achieved MBA awards from USP over the last four years this confirms to the wider public the quality of the MBA programme USP have been offering,” USP Cook Islands campus director Rod Dixon said.
On the heels of its MBA programme rating success, the university is looking to launch a doctorate of business administration (DBA) programme.
If more than 10 Cook Islanders register their interest, USP can deliver a locally-based distance-learning course via an agreement with the Maastricht School of Business. The only catch is that the total cost of a three-year programme is in the $80,000 range.
While the PhD degree is more theoretical and academic, the DBA is targeted at working executives and professionals with industry experience.
USP will provide more information when it becomes available.
Go Gaga at H Factor tonight
Sat
4 Feb
Contestants battling it out in the H Factor competition will hit the stage for the first round of competition tonight, taking their singing ways to Hidie’s Bar with some of music’s greats in their sights.
The H Factor’s top 10 singers will put their spin on artists new and old, from Lady Gaga to Jackie Wilson, when the contest begins tonight.
The singers have been in rehearsals for the last two weeks since they were selected to go through to the knockout stage of the H Factor at auditions a fortnight ago.
The show begins tonight from 7.30pm at Hidie’s Bar in town.
Doors open at 5.30pm and the audience is restricted to people 18 years and older for licensing reason. Entry is free.
Organisers are billing the performances as one not to be missed and recommend people get in early to reserve themselves a good seat.
Everyone who attends will receive a special voting ticket and a chance to win a door prize.
Helping keep the live audience in the know will be masters of ceremony David Cork and Merle Pukerua.
Judge and H Factor organiser Thomas Mereana-Ngauru said the pair would be in charge of keeping the audience informed and making sure the show runs smoothly.
“They will be dressed by one of our major sponsors id.CK for the entirety of the competition. So will they not only be the wittiest but the best dressed mc’s in town,” he said.
“Our four lucky finalists will also have the please of being dressed by id.CK for the grand finale.”
Two contestants will face elimination next week based on their performances tonight.
The three judges and a voting audience will determine their fate, which will be known next Saturday.
Text voting will cost 50 cents and there is only one voting line that is 944. Text the text name of the contestant to 944 to cast your vote.
Next week, contestants will be singing a choice of dance anthems in the H Factor.
Pauline George.
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Darlene Nicholas.
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Joseph Pakitoa.
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Emma-Jean Puna.
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Peter Pokipoki.
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Unarii Tafale.
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Tia-Maree Takiika.
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Teariki Terekia.
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Thomas Webb.
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Chantelle Vainerere.
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Musical Maoate family taking the stage
Sat
4 Feb
They can’t be missed at Muriwai Beach.
Tairi and Neita Maoate have a troop of 12 children who are renowned for their strong family values, surfing and playing sports, home-schooling and business interests.
The family of Tahitian-Cook Islands descent also whip out their percussion instruments and transform into Muzacon, “a polytainment fusion group”.
They will perform at the Muriwai Waitangi Day Festival on February 6 alongside artists like Nat Rose, Maisey Rika, Majic Paora and others.
The festival is a fundraiser for the Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trust and Reweti Marae.
“Music is an instrument we have used as parents to instil healthy self-belief, an unbreakable confidence and the attitude to “give it a go,” Tairi says.
“When we jam together, it teaches us gratitude for each other and respect for each other’s talent.
“There is a synergy and the feeling you get when the collective karmas are lifted,” she says.
The couple moved from Rarotonga to New Zealand 15 years ago and have lived in Muriwai for eight years.
“Muriwai reminds my wife and me of our village back in
Rarotonga, a place called Titikaveka.
“Muriwai is green, it’s got the beach and the atmosphere is sort of like a village.
“You’ve got Martin and Bridget at the Muriwai Surfing School, the Hudsons out and about on the exercise trails, the ladies at the Top Shop – it’s a neat village to be a part of and raise your family in.”
The festival, supported by Te Whanau o Waipareira, Auckland Council, Creative NZ and Te Puni Kokiri, is at Houghton’s Bush Camp, 75 Motutara Rd, Muriwai Beach.
Carved trophy for winner
Sat
4 Feb
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This carved stone trophy will be awarded to the H Factor champion in March.
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Among the prizes H Factor hopefuls will be competing for is this trophy.
The unique trophy has been carved out of stone by local master carver, poet and raconteur Mike Tavioni.
It will be presented to the H Factor champion at the grand final on Saturday, March 3, after the competition of 10 is whittled down to just one.
Aside from this trophy, The H Factor will be giving away a recording contract with Teura Studios, $1000 cash, $300 clothing vouchers and an eight-string ukelele in the competition.
Viewers who send text messages will also be in the running for spot prizes to be given away through quizzes.
Summer photo competition - 2
Fri
3 Feb
This is the second to last selection of photo entries from our first Memories of Summer photo competition sponsored by CIPS Image & Copy Centre.
Next Saturday we’ll announce the overall winner and publish the ‘best
of the best’. Thanks to all who have taken the time and interest to
enter.
Summer photo competition
- 3; Summer
photo competition - 1
Previous weeks: (Week 1 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 2 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 3 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 4 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 5 - Summer
photo competition)
Proud aunty Tutu Mare-Simona sent in this gorgeous photo of her nephew Justin Teao going for a cruise.
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Playing in the Golden Sun! Children play in the last moments of sun from across the lagoon at Sunny Beach Lodge, Aitutaki, on New Year’s Eve.
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Teuru Tiraa Passfield sent in this photo of Rima Mata and her son Marouna cleaning trochus in Amuri during the recent trochus harvest, while the sun sets behind them.
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Kids enjoying the freedom of summer although kids always have a lot of freedom in Pukapuka! Photo sent in by Amelia Borofsky.
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Roland Neururer sent in this photo of his gorgeous five-year-old son Christopher Neururer having a fun day at Muri beach.
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This photo was taken by Blondies Photography of the Tamangaro family in Nikao.
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Merejean helps make home-made banana pancakes.
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Baby Ngatoko wearing his ‘birthday boy’ tag.
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Xavier Neves (3) eating mango ice-block.
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Summer photo competition - 1
Thu
2 Feb
We’ve been inundated with nearly 200 images of children, pets and family fun in our first ever Memories of Summer photo competition sponsored by CIPS Image & Copy Centre.
This selection of pictures were received in the first few weeks.
Summer photo competition
- 3;
Summer photo competition
- 2
Previous weeks: (Week 1 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 2 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 3 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 4 - Summer
photo competition) (Week 5 - Summer
photo competition)
A glorious summer sunset on Nikao beach photographed by Jo Roper.
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Preparing for a summer wedding! Danny Cook sent in this beautiful photo of Poko Hole and Memory Heather displaying wedding bouquets.
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Edward of Ngatangia sent in this photo titled ‘doggy heaven’ of his four legged pal fishing in the blue waters of Muri.
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Fruits are ripe! Renella Healey sent in this photo of Bobbiejo and Robert Healey, with the pick of the day, taken at their home in Panama.
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Mongoose Christmas! Ronnie Siulepa sent in this photo of the Avatiu-Nikao Mongoose golden oldies club members singing Christmas carols the island way.
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Boys will be boys! Luciana Matenga sent in this photo of Brayden Kamana, Apu Kamana and Anapa Nicholas playing the video game ‘Halo’a – island style.
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Teuru Passfield sent in this photo of Raniera Ellison and his little super girl Mere at Papaaroa beach. Note: No children were harmed in the taking of this photo!
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Mataiti Mataiti sent in this photo of his family during their walk through the Takitumu Conservation Area in Titikaveka.
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Antonia Poa sent in this photo of Tehana Hunter and her cousins all cooling off in the pool.
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Trish Grimes sent in this photo of her two granddaughters, Cassidy (3) and Calina (2), on holiday for the first time in beautiful Rarotonga having lots of fun in the sun down at Papa Tika’s Beach in O’oa, Tupapa.
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